# US 2023/0053422 A1 · Flexible pipe connection systems and methods

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- Number: US 2023/0053422 A1
- Document ID: US20230053422A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/982,286
- Filed: 2022-11-07
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Earliest claimed: 2021-05-07
- Assignees: FMC Technologies, Inc.
- Applicants: FMC Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: James Cook; Corey Massey; John Eden
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230053422A1

## CPC

- E21B 43/2607: {Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations}
- F16L 27/10: comprising a flexible connection only
- F16L 57/02: against cracking or buckling
- 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

A system may a first frac tree having a first inlet, a manifold having a first fluid outlet, and a first flexible pipe. The first flexible pipe may include a first end of the first flexible pipe coupled to the first fluid outlet; a second end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to the first inlet; and a first outer shell rotationally mounted on the manifold, the first outer shell extends from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end. The first outer shell may extend from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the first outer shell is curved to have a radius to arch the first flexible pipe from the manifold to the frac tree.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system, the system comprising:
a first frac tree having a first inlet;
a manifold having a first fluid outlet; and
a first flexible pipe, wherein the first flexible pipe comprises:
a first end of the first flexible pipe coupled to the first fluid outlet;
a second end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to the first inlet; and
a first outer shell rotationally mounted on the manifold, the first outer shell extends from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end,
wherein the first outer shell is curved to have a radius to arch the first flexible pipe from the manifold to the frac tree.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a second frac tree having a second inlet,
wherein the first outer shell is configured to be rotated about the zipper manifold skid to move the second end from the first inlet to be coupled the second inlet.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, further comprising:
a third frac tree having a third inlet,
wherein the first outer shell is configured to be rotated about the zipper manifold skid to move the second end from the second inlet to be coupled the third inlet.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first outer shell further comprises a plurality of pipes coupled together, and wherein each pipe of the plurality of pipes have a bend radius added together to equal the bend radius of the first outer shell.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first flexible pipe extends in an upward direction from the first fluid outlet and extends in a downward direction from the first outer shell.

### Claim 6

A system to deliver pressurized fluid to one or more frac trees, the system comprising:
a first pump truck having a first pump disposed thereon, wherein the first pump comprises
a first fluid outlet;
a manifold having a second fluid outlet and a plurality of fluid inlets, wherein the first fluid outlet of the first pump is fluidly connected to a first inlet of the plurality of fluid inlets; and
a first flexible pipe, wherein the first flexible pipe comprises:
a first end of the first flexible pipe coupled to the second fluid outlet of the manifold;
a second end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to a fluid inlet of a first frac tree; and
a first outer shell mounted on the manifold, the first outer shell extends from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end,
wherein the first outer shell is curved to have a radius to arch the first flexible pipe from the manifold to the first frac tree.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, further comprising:
at least one electronically controlled pressure relief valve fluidly connected to the manifold; and
a second flexible pipe, wherein the second flexible pipe comprises:
a first end of the second flexible pipe coupled to the electronically controlled pressure relief valve;
a second outer shell mounted on the electronically controlled pressure relief valve, the second outer shell extends from the electronically controlled pressure relief valve a length between the first end and a second end of the second flexible pipe,
wherein the second outer shell is curved to have a radius to arch the second flexible pipe from the electronically controlled pressure relief valve.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, further comprising:
at least one prime up/bleed down line fluidly connected to the manifold; and
a third flexible pipe, wherein the third flexible pipe comprises:
a first end of the third flexible pipe coupled to the prime up/bleed down line;
a third outer shell mounted on the prime up/bleed down line, the third outer shell extends from the prime up/bleed down line a length between the first end and a second end of the third flexible pipe,
wherein the third outer shell is curved to have a radius to arch the third flexible pipe from the prime up/bleed down line.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, further comprising:
a second frac tree having a fluid inlet,
wherein the first outer shell is configured to be rotated about to move the second end of the first flexible pipe from the fluid inlet of the first frac tree to be fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet of the second frac tree.

### Claim 10

A method for fluidly connecting a manifold to at least two frac trees, the method comprising:
rotationally mounting an outer shell of a flexible pipe to a structure attached to the manifold;
fluidly connecting a first end of the flexible pipe to a fluid outlet of the manifold;
hanging a second end of the flexible pipe a distance from the structure thereby forming the flexible pipe in a self-supporting arch;
fluidly connecting the second end of the flexible pipe to a first fluid inlet of a first frac tree of the at least two frac trees; and
switching the second end of the flexible pipe from the first fluid inlet of the first frac tree to fluidly connect to a second fluid inlet of a second frac tree of the at least two frac trees.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein switching the second end of the flexible pipe comprises fluidly disconnecting the second end of the flexible pipe from the first fluid inlet of the first frac tree.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising rotating the outer shell about the manifold to move the second end of the flexible pipe about the second fluid inlet of the second frac tree.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising manipulating the second end to align with a mounting point on the second fluid inlet of the second frac tree.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein mounting the outer shell comprises lifting the flexible pipe from a lift point on the outer shell to raise the outer shell on the structure, wherein the structure is a flanged connection of the fluid outlet.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further comprising allowing the flexible pipe to drape downward from the outer shell in a downward or upside-down “u” shape.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further comprising manipulating the first end to align with a mounting point on the fluid outlet.