Mobile, modular, electrically powered system for use in fracturing underground formations using liquid petroleum gas
The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems. The treatment fluid can comprise a water-based fracturing fluid or a waterless liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fracturing fluid.
1. A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation at a wellbore, the system comprising:
a pump driven by an electric motor, the pump configured to be fluidly connected to the wellbore via a piping manifold system and configured to pump a fracturing fluid into the wellbore at a pressure sufficient so that the fracturing fluid passes from the wellbore into the formation to fracture the formation, wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a liquefied petroleum gas;
a blender system configured to provide the fracturing fluid to the pump, the blender system further comprising a first inlet pump, a second inlet pump, a first discharge pump, and a second discharge pump;
at least one variable frequency drive configured to be connected to the electric motor to control the speed of the motor and to monitor and control the electric motor; and
a turbine generator that provides a source of electrical power to the electric motor, wherein the pump and electric motor are mounted on a trailer.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the turbine generator is driven by natural gas to produce the electrical power.
3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive to provide the fracturing fluid to the wellbore at a constant pressure.
4. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive to provide the fracturing fluid to the wellbore at a constant flow rate.
5. The system of claim 2 , further comprising an electrical transformer configured to be electrically connected to the electric motor and the turbine generator to step down a voltage from the turbine generator to a voltage appropriate for the electric motor.
6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the pump and electric motor are mounted on a trailer and are configured to be powered by the turbine generator.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive to provide the fracturing fluid to the wellbore at a constant pressure.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive to provide the fracturing fluid to the wellbore at a constant flow rate.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical transformer configured to be electrically connected to the electric motor and the turbine generator to step down a voltage from the turbine generator to a voltage appropriate for the electric motor.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the turbine generator is capable of generating electricity through the conversion of liquid fuels, or natural gas, or both.
11. A method for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation at a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a pump driven by an electric motor, the pump configured to be fluidly connected to the wellbore via a piping manifold system and configured to pump a fracturing fluid into the wellbore at a pressure sufficient so that the fracturing fluid passes from the wellbore into the formation to fracture the formation;
providing a fracturing fluid, wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a liquified petroleum gas;
providing a blender system configured to provide the fracturing fluid to the pump, the blender system further comprising a first inlet pump, a second inlet pump, a first discharge pump, and a second discharge pump;
providing at least one variable frequency drive configured to be connected to the electric motor to control the speed of the motor and to monitor and control the electric motor; and
providing a turbine generator that provides a source of electrical power to the electric motor, and mounting the pump and electric motor on a trailer.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the turbine generator is driven by natural gas to produce the electrical power.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising providing a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive to provide the fracturing fluid to the wellbore at a constant pressure.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the liquefied petroleum gas comprises one or more gases from the group consisting of propane, butane, propylene and butylene.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising providing an electrical transformer configured to be electrically connected to the electric motor and the turbine generator to step down a voltage from the turbine generator to a voltage appropriate for the electric motor.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the electric motor is configured to be powered by the turbine generator.
17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising providing a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive to provide the fracturing fluid to the wellbore at a constant pressure.
18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising providing a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive to provide the fracturing fluid to the wellbore at a constant flow rate.
19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising providing an electrical transformer configured to be electrically connected to the electric motor and the turbine generator to step down a voltage from the turbine generator to a voltage appropriate for the electric motor.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the turbine generator is capable of generating electricity through the conversion of liquid fuels, or natural gas, or both.