# US 8,540,022 B1 · Method of delivering frac fluid and additives > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,022 B1 - Document ID: US8540022B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/685,940 - Filed: 2012-11-27 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2008-09-09 - Assignees: Tetra Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Tetra Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Enrico J. Termine; Robert I. Richie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540022B1 ## CPC - E21B 43/2607: {Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations} - C09K 8/66: Compositions based on water or polar solvents (C09K8/64 takes precedence) - E21B 43/16: Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons - E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures - Y10S 507/904: Process of making fluids or additives therefor - Y10S 507/922: Fracture fluid - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprising: (a) identifying a source of an aqueous base fluid for the fracturing fluid and providing predetermined physical and chemical characteristic data for the fracturing fluid; (b) transporting aqueous base fluid, obtained from the source of aqueous base fluid identified in step “a”, to a well site for fracturing operations; (c) during step “b” testing the aqueous base fluid being transported, and comparing the tested physical and chemical characteristic data to the predetermined physical and chemical characteristic data for the fracturing fluid; (d) during steps “b” and “c”, in the event of a failed comparison, introducing at least one additive to treat the aqueous base fluid being transported; (e) repeating steps “c” and “d” until the aqueous base fluid being transported achieves the predetermined physical and chemical characteristics; (f) after step “e”, transporting the treated aqueous base fluid to a fracturing system, the fracturing system including a fracturing pump; (g) after step “f”, formulating the fracturing fluid with the treated aqueous base fluid, and the pump of the fracturing system pumping the fracturing fluid into the wellbore for fracturing operations. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein testing in step “c” is performed downstream of the at least additive introduced in step “d” and upstream of the fracturing system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the additives are homogeneously dispersed in the aqueous base fluid before being transported to the fracturing system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one additive includes a bromine biocide, and further comprising the step of testing at least one sample of flowback fluids at the conclusion of the fracturing operations to identify residual traces of the bromine biocide. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein in the additives include pH modifiers and scale inhibitors. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein during step “d” the aqueous base fluid is delivered to the fracturing system located proximate to the well site. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein first during step “d” the aqueous base fluid is first delivered to a first set of fracturing fluid tanks located proximate to the source of aqueous base fluid, and second during step “f” delivered to the fracturing system located proximate to the well site. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step “c” is performed in real time, and step “d” is performed on the fly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the volume of the fracturing fluid and/or the concentration of the additives in the fracturing fluid on-the-fly during the pumping of the fracturing fluid to the well bore. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein during step “d” a plurality of different additives are introduced and testing of the aqueous base fluid being transported is made of each of the plurality of different additives introduced. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the source of aqueous base fluid is remote from the wellbore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one additive is introduced continuously in a controlled manner. ### Claim 13 A method for controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprising: (a) identifying a source of an aqueous base fluid for the fracturing fluid and providing predetermined physical and chemical characteristic data for the fracturing fluid; (b) testing the identified source of aqueous base fluid to determine the source's physical and chemical characteristics; (c) comparing the tested physical and chemical characteristic data of the identified source of aqueous base fluid to the predetermined physical and chemical characteristic data for the fracturing fluid to identify suitability of the identified source for fracturing operations; (d) after step “c”, if a favorable comparison is made to the predetermined physical and chemical characteristic data for the fracturing fluid, transporting aqueous base fluid, obtained from the source of aqueous base fluid identified in step “a”, to a well site for fracturing operations; (e) during step “d” testing the aqueous base fluid being transported, and comparing the tested physical and chemical characteristic data to the predetermined physical and chemical characteristic data for the fracturing fluid; (f) during steps “d” and “e”, in the event of a failed comparison, introducing at least one additive to treat the aqueous base fluid being transported; (g) repeating steps “e” and “f” until the aqueous base fluid being transported achieves the predetermined physical and chemical characteristics; and (h) after step “g”, transporting the treated aqueous base fluid to a fracturing system, the fracturing system including a fracturing pump; (i) after step “h”, formulating the fracturing fluid with the treated aqueous base fluid, and the pump of the fracturing system pumping the fracturing fluid into the wellbore for fracturing operations. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein testing in step “d” is performed downstream of the at least one additive is introduced in step “f” and upstream of the fracturing system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one additive includes a bromine biocide, and further comprising the step of testing at least one sample of flowback fluids at the conclusion of the fracturing operations to identify residual traces of the bromine biocide. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein during step “h” the aqueous base fluid is delivered to the fracturing system located proximate to the well site. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein first during step “d” the aqueous base fluid is first delivered to a first set of fracturing fluid tanks located proximate to the source of aqueous base fluid, and second during step “h” delivered to the fracturing system located proximate to the well site.