US 11,686,163 B2Granted

Hydraulic fracturing connection assembly

AssigneeNational Oilwell Varco UK Limited

InventorsRichard Matthew Westgarth, Graham Knox, Jonathan Tweddle

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Abstract

A connection assembly and a method comprises first and second connector portions having a preload mechanism comprising a plurality of bores and threaded fixings circumferentially spaced around the axis, wherein the preload mechanism is arranged to apply an axial load between shoulders on the first and second connector portions when torque is applied to the threaded fixings. An annular sealing member is compressed between the first and second portions, and the axial load applied between the first and second shoulders by the preload mechanism exceeds a peak hydrodynamic load urging the first and second connector portions in a direction along the axis. The axial force applied by the preload mechanism advantageously reduces the fatigue damage experienced by the connection, for example, by cyclic pressure changes within the connector portions typically caused by pumps operating at high pressures.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A hydraulic fracturing connection assembly for the connection of high pressure conduits adapted for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation conducted on an oil or gas well, the assembly comprising:

first and second connector portions each having a bore for the flow of fluids between the first and second connector portions, and adapted for inter-connection of the bores along an axis, one of the first and second connector portions having a socket with an internal thread and the other of the first and second connector portions having a pin with an external thread adapted to be received within the socket during inter-connection of the first and second connector portions;
a first shoulder on the first connector portion with a first face and a second shoulder on the second connector portion with a second face;
and
a preload mechanism comprising:
a plurality of bores circumferentially spaced around the axis and extending through the first face in a direction towards the second face;
a plurality of threaded fixings passing through the bores towards the second face adapted to engage a thread;
and wherein the preload mechanism is arranged to apply an axial load between the first and second shoulders when torque is applied to the threaded fixings;
wherein the assembly comprises at least one sealing member in compression between the first and second portions, wherein the sealing member is annular and has a sealing diameter;
and
wherein the axial load applied between the first and second shoulders by the preload mechanism exceeds a peak hydrodynamic load urging the first and second connector portions in a direction along the axis.

7 more elements

A method of connecting first and second high pressure conduits adapted for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation conducted on an oil or gas well, the first and second conduits having respective first and second connector portions in fluid communication with respective first and second high pressure conduits, the first and second connector portions being adapted for inter-connection along an axis, each of the first and second connector portions having bores for the flow of fluids;

one of the first and second connector portions having a socket with an internal thread and the other of the first and second connector portions having a pin with an external thread adapted to be received within the socket during inter-connection of the first and second connector portions;
the first connector portion having a first shoulder with a first face and the second connector portion having a second shoulder with a second face;
and wherein the first and second connector portions incorporate a preload mechanism comprising:
a plurality of bores circumferentially spaced around the axis and extending through the first face in a direction towards the second face;
a plurality of threaded fixings passing through the bores towards the second face and adapted to engage with a thread;
wherein the assembly comprises at least one sealing member in compression between the first and second portions, wherein the sealing member is annular and has a sealing diameter;
wherein the method comprises:
receiving the pin within the socket and connecting the first and second connector portions by means of the internal and external threads on the socket and pin;
applying torque to the threaded fixings to apply an axial load between the shoulders;
and
wherein the axial load applied between the first and second shoulders by the preload mechanism exceeds a peak hydrodynamic load urging the first and second connector portions in a direction along the axis.

8 more elements

one of the first and second connector portions having a socket with an internal thread and the other of the first and second connector portions having a pin with an external thread adapted to be received within the socket during inter-connection of the first and second connector portions;
the first connector portion having a first shoulder with a first face and the second connector portion having a second shoulder with a second face;
and wherein the first and second connector portions incorporate a preload mechanism comprising:
a plurality of bores circumferentially spaced around the axis and extending through the first face in a direction towards the second face;
a plurality of threaded fixings passing through the bores towards the second face and adapted to engage with a thread;
wherein the assembly comprises at least one annular sealing member in compression between the first and second portions, and having a sealing diameter;
wherein the method comprises:
receiving the pin within the socket and connecting the first and second connector portions by means of the internal and external threads on the socket and pin;
and
applying torque to the threaded fixings to apply an axial load between the shoulders;
and
wherein the axial load applied between the first and second shoulders by the preload mechanism exceeds a peak hydrodynamic load urging the first and second connector portions in a direction along the axis;
wherein the axial load exceeds the pressure ejection force applied between the first and second connector portions at maximum rated operating pressures of the high pressure conduits;
wherein the annular sealing member is compressed between a first annular wall on the first connector portion, and a second annular wall on the second connector portion, wherein the first and second annular walls are mutually parallel and parallel with the axis;
and wherein the method includes determining the torque applied to the fixings to overcome the peak hydrodynamic load urging the first and second connector portions apart as a function of the sealing diameter.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/643,778Filed 10 Dec 2021
Priority: GB 201960211 Dec 2020
Published: US 2022/0186568 A116 Jun 2022
Granted: 27 Jun 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

E21B 17/04
Couplings; joints: between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
E21B 17/042
Between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like: threaded
E21B 43/26
Methods for stimulating production: by forming crevices or fractures
E21B 43/2607
By forming crevices or fractures: surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations