Well Treatment Fluid Delivery Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for storing, transporting, and delivering well treatment fluids are inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple containers, complex logistics, and the risk of cross-contamination, especially for harsh, corrosive, and abrasive components.

Innovation Solution

The use of specialized reusable containers with an inert flexible bladder or piston that separates treatment fluid components from the environment, allowing for precise metering and delivery without transferring the components to new containers, reducing the need for repackaging and minimizing contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If treatment fluid components are packaged at a discrete coordinating location and transported to the wellsite, then the components can be properly prepared and allocated, but the logistics management becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper preparation and allocation of treatment fluid componentsVSAvoidlogistics management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the treatment fluid delivery process by providing dedicated containers for each component that can be independently managed and tracked. Each container is self-contained with specific identification markings, allowing parallel processing and reducing coordination complexity while maintaining proper preparation and allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containers are designed to be self-identifying with markings that indicate contents, quantity, and destination. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex manual tracking and coordination, allowing the system to manage itself with minimal human intervention while ensuring proper component allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If reusable containers are used to transport treatment fluid components, then transportation costs are reduced, but cleaning is required to prevent cross-contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation cost reductionVSAvoidcleaning requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs single-use containers that are discarded after one trip, eliminating the need for cleaning and sanitization operations. While the containers themselves are inexpensive, this approach avoids the costly and time-consuming cleaning processes that would be required for reusable containers, particularly important when dealing with harsh, corrosive, or abrasive treatment components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If treatment fluid components are transferred between containers during transport and storage, then logistics flexibility is improved, but the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogistics flexibilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The containers are pre-filled and pre-sealed at the manufacturing location with the correct treatment fluid components and quantities. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent transfers, mixing, or handling operations that would expose the components to contamination risks, while the pre-marked containers provide the necessary logistics flexibility for tracking and deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If multiple containers are used to deliver treatment fluid components to the wellsite, then component segregation is achieved, but operational expenditures increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent segregationVSAvoidoperational expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a universal container design that can transport any treatment fluid component type through a single integrated delivery chain. This multi-functional approach allows the same container infrastructure to handle all components without requiring specialized equipment for each substance, achieving proper segregation while minimizing operational expenditures through standardized processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11987438B2Storage, transport, and delivery of well treatments

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Provided are methods and systems for delivering a treatment fluid to a wellsite. An example method includes receiving a container containing a treatment fluid component from a treatment fluid component supplier. The method further includes introducing the treatment fluid component into a wellbore from the container by pumping the treatment fluid component out of the container and into the wellbore. The treatment fluid component is not transferred to another container during the receiving or the introducing.