IP Library Granted Patent US 11,713,662
Granted Patent B2
US 11,713,662 · App. 17/104,653 · Granted Aug 1, 2023

Modular system and manifolds for introducing fluids into a well

Inventors: Julian Keihany (Houston, TX); Corey Massey (Houston, TX)
Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
E21B43/26E21B33/068F16L3/00F16L41/03
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,713,662
App. No.
17/104,653
Granted
Aug 1, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An illustrative modular manifold disclosed herein includes, among other things, a low-pressure manifold comprising a frac fluid outlet valve, wherein a fracturing fluid is adapted to be supplied from the low-pressure manifold via the frac fluid outlet valve to a suction side of a frac pump, and a high-pressure manifold comprising at least one frac fluid inlet valve, wherein the high-pressure manifold is adapted to receive, via the frac fluid inlet valve, a fracturing fluid discharged from the frac pump. In this example, the modular manifold also includes a support structure for mechanically supporting the low- and high-pressure manifolds and a plurality of height-adjustable support legs operatively coupled to the support structure.

Claims (55)

1. A system, the system comprising:

a first modular manifold, the first modular manifold comprising:

a first low-pressure manifold configured to supply fracturing fluid to a suction side of a first frac pump; and

a first high-pressure manifold configured to receive a fracturing fluid discharged from the first frac pump;

a frac fluid inlet manifold separate from the first modular manifold;

a first dedicated low-pressure line providing fluid communication only between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the first low-pressure manifold;

a second modular manifold operatively coupled to the first modular manifold, the second modular manifold comprising:

a second low-pressure manifold configured to supply fracturing fluid to a suction side of a second frac pump; and

a second high-pressure manifold configured to receive a fracturing fluid discharged from the second frac pump; and

a second dedicated low-pressure line providing fluid communication only between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the second low-pressure manifold.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first frac pump is disposed on a frac truck adjacent to the first modular manifold.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising at least another frac truck adjacent to the first modular manifold, the at least another frac truck having an another frac pump.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third modular manifold operatively coupled to the second modular manifold, the third modular manifold comprising:

a third low-pressure manifold configured to supply fracturing fluid to a suction side of a third frac pump; and

a third high-pressure manifold configured to receive a fracturing fluid discharged from the third frac pump; and

a third dedicated low-pressure line providing fluid communication only between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the third low-pressure manifold.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of connecting manifold spacing spools configured to provide fluid communication, via a flanged connection, between the first modular manifold, the second modular manifold, and the third modular manifold.

6. The system of claim 4 , further comprising at least one valve coupled to an end of one of the first high-pressure manifold, the second high-pressure manifold, or the third high-pressure manifold.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the frac fluid inlet manifold comprises a plurality of inlet nozzles and a plurality of outlet nozzles, wherein at least one the plurality of outlet nozzles is coupled to the first dedicated low-pressure line.

8. A modular manifold, the modular manifold comprising:

a low-pressure manifold configured to supply fracturing fluid to a suction side of no more than four frac pumps;

a high-pressure manifold configured to receive a fracturing fluid discharged from the no more than four frac pumps,

wherein the low-pressure manifold is in a closed loop;

a dedicated low-pressure line providing fluid communication only between the low-pressure manifold and a frac fluid inlet manifold, wherein the frac fluid inlet manifold is separate from the low-pressure manifold,

wherein the high-pressure manifold comprises:

a high-pressure inlet cross;

a plurality of high-pressure spools configured to be coupled to the high-pressure inlet cross; and

a plurality of high-pressure frac fluid inlet valves configured to receive the discharged fracturing fluid to thereby allow the discharged fracturing fluid to be introduced into the high-pressure inlet cross.

9. The modular manifold of claim 8 , wherein each frac pump of the no more than four frac pumps is disposed on a frac truck.

10. The modular manifold of claim 9 , wherein no more than two frac trucks are adjacent to one side of the modular manifold.

11. The modular manifold of claim 8 , wherein the low-pressure manifold comprises:

a flow distribution manifold configured to supply the fracturing fluid to the suction side via a plurality of low-pressure frac fluid outlets; and

a blinded outlet configured to allow access to an internal of the flow distribution manifold.

12. A system, the system comprising:

a first modular manifold, the first modular manifold comprising:

a first low-pressure manifold configured to supply fracturing fluid to a suction side of a first frac pump; and

a first high-pressure manifold configured to receive a fracturing fluid discharged from the first frac pump;

a frac fluid inlet manifold separate from the first modular manifold; and

a first dedicated low-pressure line providing fluid communication only between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the first low-pressure manifold,

wherein the frac fluid inlet manifold comprises a plurality of inlet nozzles and a plurality of outlet nozzles, wherein at least one the plurality of outlet nozzles is coupled to the first dedicated low-pressure line.

13. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a series of valves operatively coupled to the first high-pressure manifold, wherein the series of valves provide a connection for priming the first frac pump.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the series of valves provide a connection point to a blender.

15. The system of claim 12 , further comprising:

a second modular manifold operatively coupled to the first modular manifold, the second modular manifold comprising:

a second low-pressure manifold configured to supply fracturing fluid to a suction side of a second frac pump; and

a second high-pressure manifold configured to receive a fracturing fluid discharged from the second frac pump; and

a second dedicated low-pressure line providing fluid communication only between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the second low-pressure manifold.

16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:

a third modular manifold operatively coupled to the second modular manifold, the third modular manifold comprising:

a third low-pressure manifold configured to supply fracturing fluid to a suction side of a third frac pump; and

a third high-pressure manifold configured to receive a fracturing fluid discharged from the third frac pump; and

a third dedicated low-pressure line providing fluid communication only between the frac fluid inlet manifold and the third low-pressure manifold.

17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of connecting manifold spacing spools configured to provide fluid communication, via a flanged connection, between the first modular manifold, the second modular manifold, and the third modular manifold.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first low-pressure manifold comprises a flow distribution manifold to receive fluids from the frac fluid inlet manifold via the first dedicated low-pressure line.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT R/F 064193/0810 Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
To: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SCHILLING ROBOTICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 068525/0717 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT R/F 064193/0870 Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SCHILLING ROBOTICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 068527/0127 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2023
From: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SCHILLING ROBOTICS, LLC
To: DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064193/0810 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2023
From: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SCHILLING ROBOTICS, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 064193/0870 →