IP Library Granted Patent US 12,085,017
Granted Patent B2
US 12,085,017 · App. 16/458,696 · Granted Sep 10, 2024

System for gas compression on electric hydraulic fracturing fleets

Inventors: Jared Oehring (Houston, TX); Brandon N. Hinderliter (Houston, TX)
Assignee: US Well Services, LLC
F02C7/05E21B43/2607F02C6/00F02C7/22F02C7/236
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,085,017
App. No.
16/458,696
Granted
Sep 10, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments relate to hydraulic fracturing equipment powered by one or more natural gas turbine generators. Natural gas from a supply line is released via a valve into a turbine gas line. The turbine gas line includes one or more regulators to reduce the pressure of the natural gas stream in the turbine gas line to a pressure or pressure range optimum for one or more gas compressors. The gas compressors increase the pressure of the natural gas stream, which is then directed to one or more natural gas turbine generators. The natural gas turbine generators combust the natural gas to produce electricity, which powers electric hydraulic fracturing equipment.

Claims (15)

1. A method of providing electric power to hydraulic fracturing equipment, the method comprising:

releasing a natural gas stream to a turbine gas line, the turbine gas line including one or more natural gas turbine generators;

reducing the pressure of the natural gas stream using a plurality of pressure regulators;

compressing the natural gas stream using a plurality of natural gas compressors, the pressure of each portion of the natural gas stream entering each compressor regulated by a corresponding one of the plurality of pressure regulators so that the pressure of the natural gas stream entering each compressor can be individually raised or lowered as appropriate even if a compressor inlet manifold unevenly distributes gas to each compressor;

merging the portion of the natural gas stream leaving each of the plurality of natural gas compressors through a compressor outlet manifold;

combusting natural gas from the natural gas stream in the one or more natural gas turbine generators to generate the electric power; and

providing the electric power to an electric motor to power the hydraulic fracturing equipment.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

removing particulates from the natural gas stream; and

removing liquids from the natural gas stream.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

heating the natural gas stream to prevent the natural gas stream from condensing.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of natural gas compressors is disposed on a mobile trailer.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

filtering the natural gas stream through a gas filtration unit.

Assignments (5)
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 3, 2024
From: FTS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES, LLC; U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC; PROFRAC SERVICES, LLC; U.S. WELL SERVICES HOLDINGS, LLC; BEST PUMP AND FLOW, LLC
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066186/0752 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2023
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 066091/0133 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2022
From: U.S. WELL SERVICE HOLDINGS, LLC; USWS HOLDINGS LLC; U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC; USWS FLEET 10, LLC; USWS FLEET 11, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 062142/0927 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: PIPER SANDLER FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 061875/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2021
From: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 057434/0429 →
Continuity (3)
Division 15356436 · Nov 18, 2016
Provisional Application 62258055 · Nov 20, 2015
Related Publication 20190323428A1 · Oct 24, 2019