System for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid using electric pumps
AssigneeU.S. Well Services, LLC
InventorsJoel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation. The system includes a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the well, and configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the and fractures the formation. The system can also include a plurality of natural gas powered generators electrically connected to the plurality of electric pumps to provide electrical power to the pumps.
Claims21
A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation, the system comprising:
- a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the well and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the formation, and fractures the formation;
- and
- a variable frequency drive connected to the electric motor to control the speed of the motor, wherein the variable frequency drive frequently performs electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the at least one electric motor.
A system for fracturing a rock formation in an oil or gas well by pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid into the well, the system comprising:
- a pump for pumping the hydraulic fracturing fluid into the well, and then from the well into the formation., the pump capable of pumping the hydraulic fracturing fluid at high pressure to crack the formation;
- an electric motor having a high-strength steel or steel alloy shaft attached to the pump and configured to drive the pump;
- and
- a variable frequency drive connected to the electric motor to control the speed of the motor, Wherein the variable frequency drive frequently performs electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the electric motor.
The system of 14, wherein the electric motor has a high temperature rating of about 400 degrees C. or more.
The system of 15, wherein the shaft e electric motor is composed of 4340 alloy steel.
A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation, the system comprising:
- a trailer for attachment to a truck;
- two or more electric pumps attached to the trailer and fluidly connected to the well, the electric pumps configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the formation, and fractures the formation;
- one or more electric motors attached to the electric pumps to drive the pumps, the electric motors attached to the trailer;
- and
- a variable frequency drive connected to the electric motor to control the speed of the motor, wherein the variable frequency drive frequently performs electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the one or more electric motors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.