Swiveling Conduit Fluid Routing for Frac Well Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydraulic fracturing systems, particularly those using zipper manifolds, face inefficiencies due to complex piping layouts, high maintenance requirements, and increased risk of valve failure, which can lead to increased costs and reduced operational efficiency in multi-well pad fracturing operations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid routing system with a swiveling conduit that allows for selective connection to a single well while isolating others, reducing the need for multiple valves and minimizing the footprint of the fracturing equipment, thereby simplifying fluid delivery and reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a zipper manifold with multiple valves is used to control fluid flow to multiple wells, then fluid can be directed to specific wells, but the complexity of the piping system and valve maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid flow control function from the complex zipper manifold system and relocates it to a mobile fractionating tree positioned at each wellhead. This allows each well to have its own independent control mechanism, eliminating the need for a centralized manifold with multiple valves and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into independent units at each wellhead, with each well having its own fractionating tree and control valves. This segmentation allows individual well control without requiring a complex interconnected manifold system, reducing the overall complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Reliability
If multiple high-pressure valves are used in the zipper manifold, then fluid can be isolated between wells, but the risk of valve failure and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the centralized valve system from the manifold and places independent control mechanisms at each wellhead. This extraction reduces the number of valves in the high-pressure fluid path, thereby reducing maintenance requirements and failure risks while maintaining the ability to isolate fluid between wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or easily replaceable components in the mobile fractionating trees at each wellhead, reducing the need for expensive, complex, hard-to-maintain valves in the centralized system. This approach prioritizes ease of repair and reduces maintenance overhead.
3Device complexity
If the zipper manifold is located near the missile, then fluid routing is simplified, but the distance from wells increases and requires more frac iron
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into distributed units at each wellhead, eliminating the need for a centralized manifold located near the missile. Each well has its own fractionating tree positioned at the wellhead, reducing the distance over which frac iron must be routed and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a centralized linear routing approach to a distributed spatial distribution of control mechanisms at each wellhead. This dimensional change allows fluid routing to be simplified at each local well position rather than requiring complex routing from a remote centralized manifold.
Data Source
AI summary
The application is directed to a system for conveying fluid to one or more downstream locations including a plurality of downstream locations severally. The system includes one or more upstream fluid sources, a fluid routing system in fluid communication with the one or more upstream fluid sources via an upstream fluid line and each of the downstream locations via separate downstream fluid lines. The fluid routing system includes fluid connections corresponding to each of the downstream fluid lines and is operationally configured to fluidly connect with a particular fluid connection while remaining fluidly disconnected from the remaining fluid connections.