Multiwell Fracturing Pumping Schedules for Peak Demand Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of simultaneously stimulating multiple wells using existing fracturing equipment often exceeds pumping limits, particularly when legacy equipment designed for single well operations is used, leading to wide swings in fluid and proppant rates that can overload the system.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a time offset in the start times of treatments for multiple wells and dividing the fracturing fleet into clean and dirty pumping groups, along with a customized pumping schedule, to manage equipment capacity and reduce peak demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple wells are stimulated simultaneously using existing fracturing equipment, then the productivity of the fracturing operation is improved, but the equipment pumping capacity is exceeded due to wide swings in fluid and proppant rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-planning and pre-scheduling the fracturing treatments for multiple wells in advance. A customized pumping schedule is developed before the operations begin, which staggers the start times of treatments for different wells. This advance planning allows the equipment to operate within its capacity limits from the outset, preventing overload conditions and maintaining reliability while achieving the productivity goal of treating multiple wells simultaneously.
2Productivity
If the fracturing fleet operates at high rates to treat multiple wells, then the productivity increases, but the equipment becomes overloaded exceeding operational limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a flexible, customized pumping schedule that dynamically adjusts the timing and rates of fracturing treatments for different wells. Rather than operating at constant high rates, the system dynamically staggers treatments and modulates pumping rates to match equipment capacity limits. This dynamic approach allows the fleet to maintain high overall productivity while avoiding overload conditions through real-time rate management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If simultaneous treatment of multiple wells is conducted with legacy equipment, then equipment utilization is improved, but wide swings in treatment parameters cause system overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the timing parameters (start times) and pumping rate parameters for each well in the customized schedule. This controlled variation of parameters allows legacy equipment to be utilized effectively across multiple wells without experiencing wide swings that would cause overload. The parameter changes are carefully managed to smooth out demand peaks while maintaining high equipment utilization and operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a pumping sequence of a fracturing fleet at a wellsite with three or more wellbores comprising determining first, second, and third pumping sequences for a first, second, and third wellbore. The pumping sequences are comprised of a plurality of pump stages that are intervals based on time or volume. The intervals of the first, second, and third pumping sequences are overlapped into a combined pumping sequence. Each of the plurality of intervals of the modified combined pumping sequence is below an operating limit of at least one fracturing unit of the fracturing fleet. The method can include identifying at least one interval wherein the combined pumping sequence exceeds an operating limit of at least one fracturing unit of the fracturing fleet, wherein the at least one interval of the modified combined pumping sequence is below the operating limit.