# US 10,871,059 B2 · Modular system and manifolds for introducing fluids into a well

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- Number: US 10,871,059 B2
- Document ID: US10871059B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/616,361
- Filed: 2017-06-07
- Published: 2018-08-09
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2017-02-09
- Assignees: FMC Technologies, Inc.
- Applicants: FMC Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: Julian Keihany; Corey Massey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871059B2

## CPC

- E21B 43/2607: {Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations}
- E21B 33/068: having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells (cementing-heads E21B33/05)
- E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures
- F16L 3/00: Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets (anchors for holding pipes on or under the ground F16L1/06; noise absorbers in the form of specially adapted hangers or supports F16L55/035; arrangements specially adapted for supporting insulated bodies F16L59/12)
- F16L 41/03: comprising junction pieces for four or more pipe members
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

An illustrative modular manifold disclosed herein includes, among other things, a low-pressure manifold comprising a frac fluid outlet valve, wherein a fracturing fluid is adapted to be supplied from the low-pressure manifold via the frac fluid outlet valve to a suction side of a frac pump, and a high-pressure manifold comprising at least one frac fluid inlet valve, wherein the high-pressure manifold is adapted to receive, via the frac fluid inlet valve, a fracturing fluid discharged from the frac pump. In this example, the modular manifold also includes a support structure for mechanically supporting the low- and high-pressure manifolds and a plurality of height-adjustable support legs operatively coupled to the support structure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system, comprising:
a frac fluid inlet manifold;
a first modular manifold, comprising:
a first low-pressure manifold comprising a first frac fluid outlet valve, wherein a fracturing fluid is adapted to be supplied from said first low-pressure manifold via said first frac fluid outlet valve to a suction side of a first frac pump that is in fluid communication with said first modular manifold; and
a first high-pressure manifold comprising a first frac fluid inlet valve, wherein said first high-pressure manifold is adapted to receive, via said first frac fluid inlet valve, a fracturing fluid discharged from said first frac pump;
a second modular manifold operatively coupled to said first modular manifold, comprising:
a second low-pressure manifold comprising a second frac fluid outlet valve, wherein a fracturing fluid is adapted to be supplied from said second low-pressure manifold via said second frac fluid outlet valve to a suction side of a second frac pump that is in fluid communication with said second modular manifold; and
a second high-pressure manifold comprising a second frac fluid inlet valve, wherein said second high-pressure manifold is adapted to receive, via said second frac fluid inlet valve, a fracturing fluid discharged from said second frac pump;
a first dedicated low-pressure flow line coupled between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the first low-pressure manifold; and
a second dedicated low-pressure flow line coupled between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the second low-pressure manifold.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second modular manifolds further comprises a plurality of height-adjustable support legs.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said first low-pressure manifold comprises a first piping loop, said first frac fluid outlet valve is connected to said first piping loop, said second low-pressure manifold comprises a second piping loop, said second frac fluid outlet valve is connected to said second piping loop.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein said first low-pressure manifold comprises a third frac fluid outlet valve connected to said first piping loop, said fracturing fluid is adapted to be supplied from said first low-pressure manifold via said third frac fluid outlet valve to a suction side of a third frac pump, said first frac fluid outlet valve is connected to a first side of said first piping loop, and said third frac fluid outlet valve is connected to a second side of said first piping loop opposite said first side.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein said first piping loop and said second piping loop each comprises a closed piping loop.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein said closed piping loop has a ring-like configuration.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein said closed piping loop provides a continuous flow pathway around said closed piping loop.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a first connecting manifold spacing spool operatively coupled to said first and second modular manifolds.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said first low-pressure manifold is positioned vertically above said first high-pressure manifold.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein said second low-pressure manifold is positioned vertically above said second high-pressure manifold.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein said first low-pressure manifold comprises first and second flanges positioned on opposite ends of said first low-pressure manifold, and wherein said first low-pressure manifold is adapted to receive low-pressure frac fluid via either said first or said second flanges.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a third modular manifold operatively coupled to said second modular manifold, comprising:
a third low-pressure manifold comprising a third frac fluid outlet valve, wherein a fracturing fluid is adapted to be supplied from said third low-pressure manifold via said third frac fluid outlet valve to a suction side of a third frac pump that is in fluid communication with said third modular manifold; and
a third high-pressure manifold comprising a third frac fluid inlet valve, wherein said third high-pressure manifold is adapted to receive, via said third frac fluid inlet valve, a fracturing fluid discharged from said third frac pump;
a third dedicated low-pressure flow line coupled between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the third low-pressure manifold;
a first connecting manifold spacing spool that is operatively coupled to said first and second modular manifolds, said first connecting manifold spacing spool having a first axial length; and
a second connecting manifold spacing spool that is operatively coupled to said second and third modular manifolds, said second connecting manifold spacing spool having a second axial length that is different than said first axial length.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein each of said first, second and third modular manifolds further comprises a plurality of height-adjustable support legs.