Power sources and transmission networks for auxiliary equipment onboard hydraulic fracturing units and associated methods
Embodiments of systems and methods disclosed provide a hydraulic fracturing unit that includes a reciprocating plunger pump configured to pump a fracturing fluid and a powertrain configured to power the reciprocating plunger pump. The powertrain includes a prime mover and a drivetrain, the prime mover including a gas turbine engine. The hydraulic fracturing unit also includes auxiliary equipment configured to support operation of the hydraulic fracturing unit including the reciprocating plunger pump and the powertrain. A power system is configured to power the auxiliary equipment. The power system includes a power source and a power network. The power source is configured to generate power for the auxiliary equipment. The power network is coupled to the power source and the auxiliary equipment, and configured to deliver the power generated by the power source to the auxiliary equipment. Associated systems including a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units are also provided.
1. A system for fracturing a well, the system comprising:
one or more hydraulic fracturing units, each hydraulic fracturing unit comprising:
a chassis;
a reciprocating plunger pump connected to the chassis and configured to pump a fracturing fluid;
a powertrain connected to the chassis and configured to power the reciprocating plunger pump, the powertrain including a direct drive gas turbine engine and a drivetrain, the direct drive gas turbine engine operable using of two or more different types of fuel; and
auxiliary equipment located onboard the chassis, the auxiliary equipment comprising lubrication and cooling equipment driven by hydraulic motors to support operation of the hydraulic fracturing unit including the reciprocating plunger pump and the powertrain; and
one or more hydraulic power arrangements configured to power the auxiliary equipment, each hydraulic power arrangement comprising:
a hydraulic power source including an electric motor configured to drive a plurality of pumps via a hydraulic pump drive to generate hydraulic power;
a connector coupled to the electric motor configured to connect the electric motor to shore power from an external source of electric power; and
a hydraulic power network coupled to the hydraulic power source and the hydraulic motors, the hydraulic power network configured to deliver the hydraulic power generated by the hydraulic power source to the hydraulic motors to drive the auxiliary equipment.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more hydraulic fracturing units are a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units, and the one or more hydraulic power arrangements are a plurality of hydraulic power arrangements each of which is connected to the chassis of a respective one of the plurality of hydraulic fracturing units.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the connector of each of the hydraulic power sources is connected to shore power from an external source of electric power.
4. A method for fracturing a well, the method comprising:
arranging one or more hydraulic fracturing units, each hydraulic fracturing unit comprising:
a chassis;
a reciprocating plunger pump connected to the chassis and configured to pump a fracturing fluid;
a powertrain connected to the chassis and configured to power the reciprocating plunger pump, the powertrain including a direct drive gas turbine engine and a drivetrain, the direct drive gas turbine engine operable using of two or more different types of fuel; and
auxiliary equipment located onboard the chassis, the auxiliary equipment comprising lubrication and cooling equipment driven by hydraulic motors to support operation of the hydraulic fracturing unit
including the reciprocating plunger pump and the powertrain;
arranging one or more hydraulic power arrangements power the auxiliary equipment, each hydraulic power arrangement comprising:
a hydraulic power source including an electric motor configured to drive a plurality of pumps via a hydraulic pump drive to generate hydraulic power;
a connector coupled to the electric motor and configured to connect the electric motor to shore power from an external source of electric power; and
a hydraulic power network coupled to the hydraulic power source and the hydraulic motors, the hydraulic power network configured to deliver the hydraulic power generated by the hydraulic power source to the hydraulic motors to drive the auxiliary equipment; and
operating the powertrain to power the reciprocating plunger pump to pump the fracturing fluid, and the hydraulic power arrangement to power the auxiliary equipment.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein arranging the one or more hydraulic fracturing units, and arranging the one or more hydraulic power arrangements, includes arranging a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units and a plurality of hydraulic power arrangements each of which is connected to the chassis of a respective one of the plurality of hydraulic fracturing units.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein operating each of the hydraulic power arrangements includes connecting each of the connectors of the hydraulic power source to shore power from an external source of electric power.