Slurry Proportioning for Multi-Well Proppant Concentration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fracturing technologies face challenges in simultaneously treating multiple wells with different proppant concentrations and managing blender downtime during multi-well fracturing operations, leading to increased equipment failures and non-productive time.
Innovation Solution
A slurry proportioner system that allows independent control of proppant concentrations for multiple wells by using multiple flow lines, metering arrangements, and dilution fluids, with optional discharge pumps and crossover lines to ensure seamless fluid transitions and equipment reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single blender is used for multi-well fracturing operations, then equipment complexity is reduced, but blender downtime and equipment failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single blender function into multiple independent flow lines (first flow line, second flow line, etc.), each capable of handling different proppant concentrations. This segmentation allows continuous operation across multiple wells even if one flow line requires maintenance, thereby reducing blender downtime and equipment failures while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If proppant concentrations are standardized across multiple wells, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different well requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by enabling different proppant concentrations in different flow lines based on specific well requirements. Each flow line can be independently configured with metering arrangements to deliver the precise proppant concentration needed for that particular well, while maintaining overall manufacturing precision through centralized control and monitoring of each line's fluid composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic adjustment capabilities through metering arrangements on each flow line that can independently modify proppant concentrations in real-time. This allows the system to adapt to different well requirements dynamically during fracturing operations, switching between standardized and customized concentrations as needed without affecting other flow lines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow lines with independent metering arrangements are implemented, then adaptability to different well requirements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by designing multiple flow lines with identical or similar metering arrangement configurations, allowing each line to perform the same function of delivering customized proppant concentrations. This modular multi-functionality increases adaptability to different well requirements while managing device complexity through standardized, interchangeable components that can be maintained and operated systematically.
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 simultaneous fracturing of multiple wells with customized proppant concentrations, reducing blender downtime and equipment failures, and optimizing fluid delivery for enhanced operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
each of the two or more flow lines having associated therewith a metering arrangement configured to introduce an amount of a dilution fluid to the concentrated proppant fluid in the flow line
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a proportioner having one or more proportioner inlets to receive a common concentrated proppant fluid comprising a proppant, two or more flow lines fluidly connected to the one or more proportioner inlets, two or more proportioner outlets, each of the two or more proportioner outlets associated with one of the two or more flow lines, one or more fluid inlets, each of the one or more fluid inlets for introducing a proppant-free fluid to the proportioner, and a metering system associated with at least one of the two or more flow lines. Each metering system is positioned upstream of the proportioner outlet of the flow line with which it is associated and is fluidly connected with at least one of the one or more fluid inlets for proportioning one of the proppant-free fluids into the associated flow line at an injection point.