Blender system with multiple stage pumps

A blending system, comprising:

• a blender comprising:
• a hopper for containing a dry component of an oilfield material slurry, the hopper having an inlet and an outlet,
• a first stage pump having a first inlet and a second inlet, the first inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the hopper to receive the dry component of the oilfield material slurry, and the second inlet configured to receive a liquid component of the oilfield material slurry, the first stage pump having a mixer with a housing and an impeller and configured to receive the liquid component at an initial pressure and the dry component, mix the liquid component and the dry component to form the oilfield material slurry, add energy to the oilfield material slurry to increase a pressure of the oilfield material slurry above the initial pressure at an outlet, and discharge the oilfield material slurry through the outlet at a first pressure above hydrostatic pressure and above the initial pressure of the liquid component;
• a second stage pump in fluid communication with the first stage pump, the second stage pump configured to receive the oilfield material slurry from the first stage pump and pressurize the oilfield material slurry to a second pressure for discharge, wherein the second stage pump is positioned relative to the first stage pump to minimize a pressure loss between the first stage pump and the inlet of the second stage pump.

A method, comprising:

• installing a blending system at a well site operation, the blending system comprising a first stage pump and a second stage pump, the second stage pump being positioned relative to the first stage pump to minimize a pressure loss between the first stage pump and the second stage pump;
• transferring a dry component and a liquid component into the first stage pump;
• operating the first stage pump to mix the dry component and the liquid component to form a slurry, pressurize and discharge the slurry from the first stage pump at a first pressure above hydrostatic pressure;
• and
• operating the second stage pump to pressurize and discharge the slurry from the second stage pump at a second pressure above the first pressure.