FRACTURING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A WELLBORE
The disclosure contained herein describes systems, units, and methods usable to stimulate a formation including a pump usable to pressurize fluid, an electric-powered driver in communication with and actuating the pump, and an electrical power source in communication with and powering the electric-powered driver. The electrical power source can include on-site generators and/or grid power sources, and transformers can be used to alter the voltage received to a voltage suitable for powering the electric-powered driver. Air moving devices associated with the electric-powered driver can be used to provide air proximate to the pump to disperse gasses. In combination with fluid supply and/or proppant addition subsystems, the pump can be used to fracture a formation.
1 . An electrical power system for providing fracturing materials to a formation at a pressure sufficient to stimulate the formation, the power system comprising:
a pump for pressurizing the fracturing material;
an electric motor coupled to the pump, together defining a pump/motor combination, the electric motor configured to provide mechanical energy to the pump for the purposes of actuating the pump; and
a variable frequency drive coupled to the electric motor and to a power source, wherein the variable frequency drive receives electricity from the power source, and wherein the variable frequency drive provides an electrical signal to the electric motor.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the variable frequency drive is coupled to a single pump/motor combination.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the variable frequency drive is coupled to a plurality of pump/motor combinations.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the variable frequency drive is remote from physical proximity with the pump/motor combination.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fracturing material comprises a volatile material.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fracturing material comprises a non-volatile material.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the variable frequency drive is located in physical proximity with a pump/motor combination.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the variable frequency drive is located in physical proximity with a pump/motor combination.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is fire resistant.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is explosion resistant.
11 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a mobile platform, wherein the pump, the electric motor, the variable frequency drive, or combinations thereof are positioned on the mobile platform.
12 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a proppant addition subsystem adapted to enable a proppant to be added to the fracturing material.
13 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a transformer coupled between the power source and the VFD, the transformer being configured to convert electricity received from the power source from a first voltage to a second voltage, wherein the second voltage is a voltage within a range useable by the VFD.
14 . A method of electrically powering a system for providing a fracturing material to a formation at a pressure sufficient to stimulate the formation, the method comprising:
receiving into a variable frequency drive electricity from a power source;
outputting an electrical signal from the variable frequency drive;
inputting the electrical signal into an electrical-powered driver;
converting the electrical signal into mechanical energy through the use of the electrical-powered driver;
transferring the mechanical energy from the electrical-powered driver into a pump;
using the mechanical energy to actuate the pump in order to pressurize a volume of the fracturing material.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising converting the electricity from a first voltage to a second voltage prior to inputting the electricity into the variable frequency drive.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the conversion of the electricity from the first voltage to the second voltage is achieved through the use of a transformer coupled between the power source and the variable frequency drive.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the electrical signal is inputted into a plurality of electrical-powered drivers, and wherein each of the plurality of electrical-powered drivers outputs the second electrical signal to a pump.