System and method for fracturing
AssigneeEagle PCO, LLC
InventorsMichael Clark, Glendell Hendrix, Alfred Homfeld
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for assembling a multi-well fracturing system, and components useful in such a system, and for performing fracturing operations. The multi-well fracturing systems include a skid-based connection assembly including a movable conduit as a switching member between multiple branches of the fracturing system which extend to different wells within the system. Some such systems may include one or more components placed on adjustable skids to facilitate assembly of the fracturing system.
Claims23
A fracturing system having a movable fluid path switching assembly, comprising:
- a skid assembly, including,
- an intake connection assembly configured to receive pressurized fracturing fluid from an intake manifold, the intake connection assembly comprising a first portion of a first coupling;
- multiple distribution assemblies comprising a respective first portion of a second coupling, and further comprising a respective fluid outlet;
- and
- a movable conduit releasably coupled to the intake connection assembly through the first coupling, and configured for being coupled to a selected distribution assembly of the multiple distribution assemblies through the respective second coupling of the selected distribution assembly, the movable conduit comprising,
- at a first end, a second portion of the first quick disconnect coupling configured to establish a fluid coupling with the fluid outlet of the intake connection assembly;
- and
- at a second end, a second portion of the second quick disconnect coupling is configured to establish a fluid coupling with the distribution assembly.
A multi-well fracturing system, comprising:
- a connection skid, including, an intake connection assembly configured to receive pressurized fracturing fluid from the intake manifold, the connection assembly comprising a first portion of a first coupling;
- multiple distribution assemblies comprising a respective first portion of a second coupling, and further comprising a respective fluid outlet;
- and
- a movable conduit releasably coupled to the intake connection assembly through the first coupling, and configured for being coupled to a selected distribution assembly of the multiple distribution assemblies through the respective second coupling of the selected distribution assembly, wherein,
- at a first end of the movable conduit, a second portion of the first coupling configured to establish a fluid coupling with the fluid outlet of the intake connection assembly;
- and
- at a second end of the movable conduit, a second portion of the second coupling is configured to establish a fluid coupling with the distribution assembly;
- and
- multiple fracturing manifold branches, each branch coupled to the respective fluid outlet of the multiple distribution assemblies, and wherein each fracturing branch extends to a respective wellhead connection assembly.
A method of performing a multi-wellfracturing operation, comprising:
- assembling a fracturing system, comprising,
- placing an intake manifold at a selected location relative to multiple wells, the intake manifold including multiple inlet connections configured for receiving fracturing fluid under pressure to fluid outlet during a fracturing operation,
- placing a connection skid at a selected location relative to at least the intake manifold, the connection skid including,
- an intake connection assembly configured to receive pressurized fracturing fluid from the intake manifold, the connection assembly comprising a first portion of a first coupling;
- multiple distribution assemblies comprising a respective first portion of a second coupling, and further comprising a respective fluid outlet;
- and
- a movable conduit releasably coupled to the intake connection assembly through the first coupling, and configured for being coupled to a selected distribution assembly of the multiple distribution assemblies through the respective second coupling of the selected distribution assembly, the movable conduit comprising,
- at a first end, a second portion of the first coupling configured to establish a fluid coupling with the fluid outlet of the intake connection assembly, and
- at a second end, a second portion of the second coupling is configured to establish a fluid coupling with the distribution assembly;
- assembling multiple fracturing branches, each fracturing branch extending from the fluid outlet of a respective distribution assembly to a respective wellhead assembly at a respective well of the multiple wells;
- and
- placing the movable conduit to connect the intake connection assembly with a first selected distribution assembly to establish a flow path between the inlet connection assembly and a first wellhead assembly in communication with the first selected distribution assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.