SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERY OF OILFIELD MATERIALS
A system and methodology facilitates the handling of oilfield material. The oilfield material is stored in at least one silo which enables use of gravity to feed the oilfield material to a blender or other suitable equipment. Each modular silo is transportable and may be engaged with a support structure via a pivot connection. Once engaged, the silo is pivoted to a raised, upright position on the support structure. The oilfield material is then moved to an interior of the silo, and gravity may be used to feed the oilfield material to a blender or other equipment in a controlled manner.
1 . A method for handling oilfield material, comprising:
transporting a silo in a first orientation to a desired location;
transporting at least one support structure to the desired location separate from the silo, the at least one support structure having at least one connection for selective engagement with the silo;
coupling the silo to the at least one connection of the at least one support structure; and
erecting the silo to a second orientation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least partially filling the silo with the oilfield material.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transporting the support structure to the desired location further comprises positioning the support structure on a mat system.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transporting the support structure to the desired location further comprises transporting a trailer integrated with the support structure.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning a blender below the silo.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising transferring oilfield material from the silo directly into the blender via gravity.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the oilfield material is selected from a group consisting of: proppant, fiber, guar, fluid, and gel.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising moving the silo from the second orientation to the first orientation, and de-coupling the silo from the at least one connection of the support structure.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the silo comprises an enclosed interior for holding the oilfield material, the enclosed interior being divided into a plurality of compartments for holding a plurality of types of oilfield material.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transporting the silo further includes transporting the silo with a trailer, and disengaging the trailer from the silo.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein partially filling the silo further comprises interfacing with oilfield material delivery transport trailers via a transloader.
12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising surveying the ground prior to erecting the silo.
13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising erecting a guar silo.
14 . A method of handling oilfield material, comprising:
transporting a silo in a first orientation to a desired location;
transporting at least one support structure to the desired location separately from the silo, the at least one support structure having a frame structure defining a passage; and
erecting the silo to a second orientation above at least one portion of the passage.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the silo is a first silo, and at least one portion of the passage is a first portion, and further comprising transporting a second silo to the desired location in the first orientation and erecting the second silo to the second orientation above a second portion of the passage.
16 . The method as recited in claim 14 , wherein the support structure has a blender positioned within the passage.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the silo has a bottom and a feeder at the bottom of the silo, and wherein erecting the silo is defined further as erecting the silo to the second orientation such that the feeder is directed to discharge material into the at least one portion of the passage.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of moving a blender into the passage and underneath the feeder.
19 . A mobile silo system for handling oilfield material, comprising:
a mobile support structure, comprising:
a frame structure defining a passage sized and adapted to receive an oilfield material mixer;
a transportable silo having at least a portion supported by and extending above the frame structure, the transportable silo having a material discharge directed into the passage.
20 . The mobile silo system of claim 19 , wherein the portion extending above the frame structure is an oilfield material storage portion adapted to receive the oilfield material.
21 . The mobile silo system of claim 19 , wherein the mobile support structure further comprises a support base.
22 . The mobile silo system of claim 19 , wherein the mobile support structure further comprise at least one first connection on the frame structure adapted to receive and support a first portion of a silo.