Wellbore Dispensing Device for Large Particle Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic fracturing systems face challenges in efficiently delivering slurry mixtures and proppants with larger particle diameters due to equipment limitations, leading to premature wear and operational inefficiencies, and high costs associated with maintaining large-scale equipment capable of handling these materials.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device system that includes a material chamber and control system for remote operation, utilizing flow control elements like valves and pumps to manage and dispense oilfield materials with larger particles, allowing for multi-stage fracturing treatments and efficient delivery of slurry mixtures and proppants directly to the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large-scale pumps and fracturing equipment are used to deliver slurry mixtures with large diameter particles, then the ability to handle large particles is improved, but equipment wear and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fracturing process into multiple stages, with each stage handling specific particle size ranges. The dispensing device is positioned downstream to inject materials at controlled intervals, preventing premature wear on upstream equipment while maintaining the ability to handle large particles throughout the treatment sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing device acts as an intermediary component between the fracturing fluid delivery system and the wellbore. It provides a specialized injection point that can handle large particles without subjecting the entire pump system to excessive wear, thereby resolving the contradiction between particle handling capability and equipment durability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large-scale equipment capable of supplying oil material with large diameter particles is used, then particle delivery capability is improved, but operational costs and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the functions of bulk fluid delivery and particle injection. Standard fracturing equipment handles the fluid phase, while the specialized dispensing device handles particle delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing device is designed to handle multiple particle sizes and material types through a single injection point. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for multiple specialized equipment configurations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatile particle delivery capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fracturing equipment with fixed clearances is used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but the ability to pass large diameter particles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device serves as an intermediary injection point downstream of the conventional equipment. It provides a localized solution for particle delivery without requiring modification of the upstream pump system clearances, thereby maintaining equipment simplicity while enabling large particle passage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the clearance dimension in the conventional equipment, the system adds a new spatial dimension for particle injection at the dispensing device location. This allows large particles to be delivered through a different pathway that doesn't constrain the original equipment design.
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 efficient and cost-effective delivery of oilfield materials with larger particle sizes, reducing equipment wear and operational costs by remotely controlling the dispensing process, thereby enhancing hydraulic fracturing efficiency and production rates.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is introduced to the material chamber to move the oilfield materials along a flow path to an outlet of the material chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a dispensing device having a material chamber to store an oilfield material and to fluidly couple to a wellhead, a plurality of flow control devices to control a flow of the oilfield material via the material chamber, a plurality of sensors to measure one or more properties related to the dispensing device, and a control system communicatively coupled to the dispensing device. The control system opens a first flow control device to fill the material chamber with the oilfield material, monitors a condition associated with the material chamber based on the properties measured via the plurality of sensors, opens a second flow control device to provide a high pressure fluid into the material chamber when the condition is present, and open a third flow control device, where the third flow control device fluidly couples the material chamber to the wellhead.