Automated flowback and information system
View Patent ↗An automated flowback system allows control and operation of the system from a remote location away from the dangers of high-pressure gases or abrasives traveling at high velocities that cause damage or failure to equipment piping valves. The system provides techniques and mechanical components installed in flowlines in any position without having to cut and thread, weld or fabricate pipe to fit. This system includes an expansion sub with axial adjusting lengths adequate to compensate for variations between two points. The expansion sub is secured and installed into position eliminating field cut and threading, welding or fabrication. The system also includes a blast barrel with an installed choke nipple, choke bean or choke insert with a chosen orifice size for multiple chambered ports. The blast barrel retracts between two fixed points without having to dismantle any connections or be removed from the fluid flow.
1. An automatic flowback system for providing a controlled flowback from a wellbore after a treatment procedure, the system comprising:
at least one telescopic expansion coupling with adjusting lengths adequate to compensate for variations between two points for adjusting and installing between the two points for high pressure fluid flow from the wellbore;
at least one blast barrel for containing and controlling the high pressure fluid flow from the wellbore, the at least one blast barrel comprising at least one nipple, at least one insert with a chosen orifice size for multiple chambered ports disposed on an inner flow tube and further comprising an outer chamber for containing a fluid breach from said inner flow tube, said outer chamber being configured to expose the at least one nipple and at least one insert and said inner flow tube for maintenance by rotating said outer chamber without dismantling the at least one blast barrel from connected high pressure lines; and
a monitoring and communication apparatus for monitoring pressures by sensors disposed on the flowback system, for transmitting the monitored pressures and for remotely operating valves in the flowback system.
2. The automatic flowback system of claim 1 wherein the blast barrel comprises a telescopic blast barrel.
3. The automatic flowback system of claim 2 wherein the telescopic blast barrel comprises an adjustable length blast barrel.
4. The automatic flowback system of claim 1 wherein the at least one nipple comprises a cage nipple and a blast nipple.
5. The automatic flow back system of claim 1 wherein the at least one insert comprises a choke insert.
6. A method controlling flowback from a wellbore after a treatment procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
adjusting a length of at least one telescopic expansion coupling and installing the telescopic expansion coupling between the two points of a high pressure fluid flow of the wellbore;
installing at least one blast barrel for controlling and containing the high pressure fluid flow of the at least one blast barrel comprising at least one nipple, at least one insert with a chosen orifice size for multiple chambered ports disposed on an inner flow tube, and further comprising an outer chamber for containing a fluid breach, said outer chamber being configured to expose the at least one nipple and at least one insert and said flow tube for maintenance by rotating said outer chamber without dismantling the at least one blast barrel from connected high pressure lines;
flowing the high pressure fluid from the wellbore; and
monitoring pressures in the flowback system and transmitting the monitored pressures to a remote location.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of remotely operating valves in the flowback system.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of monitoring comprises monitoring sensors disposed in the at least one blast barrel.
9. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of telescopically adjusting a length of the blast barrel.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the at least one nipple comprises a cage nipple and a blast nipple.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein the at least one insert comprises a choke insert.
12. A blast barrel located above ground for containing and controlling a high pressure fluid flow from the wellbore in a flowback system, the blast barrel comprising:
an outer chamber; and
a primary barrelhead adjustably affixed inside the outer chamber, wherein the primary barrelhead comprises at least one nipple, at least one choke, wherein the at least one nipple and at least one choke are exposed for maintenance by rotating the chamber from the primary barrelhead without dismantling the at least one blast barrel from connected high pressure lines.
13. The blast barrel of claim 12 wherein the at least one nipple comprises a cage nipple with a choke insert.
14. The blast barrel of claim 12 further comprising a high pressure port disposed on the outer chamber.
15. The blast barrel of claim 12 further comprising at least one sensor affixed to a high pressure port for sensing a fluid pressure.
16. The blast barrel of claim 12 further comprising a low pressure port for sensing a fluid pressure downstream from the primary barrelhead.
17. The blast barrel of claim 12 further comprising an adjustable length telescopic blast barrel.
18. The blast barrel of claim 12 wherein the at least one nipple and at least one choke are disposed in a barrel.
19. A method of containing and controlling a high pressure fluid flow from the wellbore in a flowback system using a blast barrel located above ground, the method comprising the steps of:
directing a flow of the high pressure fluid to an input of an outer chamber; and
choking the flow with a choke in a primary barrelhead adjustably affixed inside the outer chamber, wherein the choke is exposed for maintenance by rotating the outer chamber without dismantling the at least one blast barrel from connected high pressure lines.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of directing the flow of choked fluid to a blast nipple.
21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of sensing a pressure of the directed flow of high pressure fluid.
22. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of sensing a breach of the fluid in the primary barrelhead.