Multiple generator mobile electric powered fracturing system
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.
1. A system for use in delivering pressurized fluid to a wellbore to be fractured, comprising:
electric motors electrically connected to a first and a second transportable turbine generator, wherein the turbine generators are configured to provide all of the electrical power to a fracturing operation comprising:
fracturing fluid pumps coupled to each electric motors and configured to be driven by the electric motors to pump fracturing fluid into a conduit in communication with the wellbore, wherein each fracturing fluid pump is coupled to a single electric motor in a modular arrangement wherein;
variable frequency drives in communication with the electric motors and the turbine generators, wherein the variable frequency drives are configured to control a speed of the electric motors; and
at least one electric blending system, at least one control system, and local equipment for the fracturing operation.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second turbine generators are disposed at a remote location relative to the electric motor.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second turbine generators are powered by natural gas.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second turbine generators are powered by condensate liquid fuel.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second generators provide a dedicated source of electrical power for fracturing operations at the wellbore.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one coupled electric motor and fracturing fluid pump is located on a transportable trailer.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical transformer that is in electrical communication with the turbine generators.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein at least one electric motor, fracturing fluid pump, variable frequency drive and transformer are located on a transportable trailer.
9. A method of delivering fluid to a wellbore to be fractured, comprising:
providing a first and a second transportable turbine generator;
providing electric motors that are electrically connected to the first and second turbine generators, wherein the turbine generators are configured to provide all of the electrical power to supply a fracturing operation, the fracturing operation comprising;
fracturing fluid pumps coupled to electric motors and configured to be driven by the electric motors and to pump fracturing fluid into a conduit in communication with the wellbore, wherein each fracturing fluid pump is coupled to a single electric motor in a modular arrangement;
variable frequency drives in communication with the electric motors and the turbine generators, wherein the variable frequency drives are configured to control a speed of the electric motors;
at least one electric blending system;
at least one control system; and
equipment for the fracturing operation;
supplying electricity to the electric blending system;
supplying electricity to the electric motors coupled to the fracturing fluid pumps;
blending a fluid with at least one electric blending system; and
pumping the fluid into the wellbore.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and the second turbine generators are disposed at a remote location relative to the electric motors.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and the second turbine generators are powered by natural gas.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and the second turbine generators are powered by condensate liquid fuel.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and the second turbine generators provides a dedicated source of electrical power for fracturing operations at the wellbore.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one electric motor and at least one fracturing fluid pump are located on a transportable trailer.
15. The method of claim 9 , further comprising providing an electrical transformer that is in electrical communication with the first and the second turbine generators.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein at least one electric motor, fracturing fluid pump, variable frequency drive and transformer are located on at least one transportable trailer.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising using the transformer to step down a voltage from the turbine generators to a voltage appropriate for the electric motors coupled to the fracturing fluid pumps.
18. The method of claim 9 , further comprising providing a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drives to provide fluid to the wellbore at a constant pressure.
19. The method of claim 9 , further comprising providing a control system configured to communicate with the variable frequency drives to provide fluid to the wellbore at a constant flow rate.
20. The method of claim 9 , wherein the variable frequency drives are configured to control a maximum current available to the electric motors coupled to the fracturing fluid pumps.