Ground-Level Ball Drop Tool for Hydraulic Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic fracturing operations require the use of lifting equipment, such as cranes or manlifts, to introduce a drop ball or wellbore projectile into the wellbore, which can be hazardous and prone to interruptions due to weather or equipment malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A ground-level projectile introduction system that includes a central pipe, a ball guide with sloped surfaces, and a T-shaped joint in fluid communication with high-pressure lines, allowing for the introduction of a wellbore projectile into the hydraulic fracturing system without the need for lifting equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vertical ball drop apparatus is used extending 15 feet or more above ground surface, then the drop ball can be introduced into the wellbore, but lifting equipment such as cranes or manlifts is required which creates safety hazards and operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a vertical apparatus extending 15+ feet above ground to a horizontal ground-level apparatus. The ball drop system is reconfigured to operate in the horizontal plane at ground level, with the central pipe and ball guide positioned on the ground surface rather than vertically above it. This dimensional change eliminates the need for lifting equipment while maintaining the ability to introduce drop balls into the wellbore through the existing Christmas tree structure.
2Reliability
If lifting equipment is used to operate the ball drop apparatus, then the drop ball can be introduced into the wellbore, but the operation can be interrupted by inclement weather or equipment malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the lifting equipment (cranes, manlifts) from the ball drop system. By reconfiguring the apparatus to operate from ground level, the system removes the external lifting equipment dependency, thereby eliminating weather-related interruptions and equipment malfunction risks associated with tall vertical structures and lifting mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If a vertical Christmas tree structure is used, then fluid flow can be controlled into and out of the wellbore, but the ball drop apparatus requires modification and lifting equipment for operation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the vertical Christmas tree to accommodate a vertical ball drop apparatus, the invention inverts the approach by creating a horizontal ground-level ball drop system that interfaces with the existing vertical Christmas tree. The T-shaped joint allows the horizontal ground-level piping to connect to the vertical tree structure, reversing the traditional vertical-only configuration and simplifying installation and maintenance access.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient operation of hydraulic fracturing by allowing ground-level introduction of wellbore projectiles, reducing the risk of accidents and downtime associated with inclement weather or equipment failures.
Implementation Method 1
introducing the wellbore projectile into the high-pressure lines through the central pipe and T-shaped joint
Implementation Method 2
the connections on the opposing arms of the T-shaped joint are mated with the at least one high-pressure line extending between a pump and the frac tree
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile introduction system includes a central pipe configured to receive and guide a wellbore projectile therethrough, a ball guide mated to a top end of the central pipe, including sloped surfaces for guiding the wellbore projectile into the central pipe, a T-shaped joint including connections on opposing arms and in fluid communication with a bottom end of the central pipe, and at least one high-pressure line extending between a pump and a wellbore frac tree, wherein the connections on the opposing arms of the T-shaped joint are mated with the at least one high-pressure line.