IP Library Granted Patent US 12,060,783
Granted Patent B2
US 12,060,783 · App. 17/651,716 · Granted Aug 13, 2024

System and method for an automated and intelligent frac pumping

Inventors: Andrew Krupa (Houston, TX); Corey Massey (Houston, TX); James Cook (Houston, TX)
Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
E21B43/2607E21B34/02E21B47/00E21B2200/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,060,783
App. No.
17/651,716
Granted
Aug 13, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system may have a built hydraulic fracturing system with a plurality of devices connected together and in fluid communication with one or more wells. The system may also include at least one continuous pumping operations for one or more wells and a fracturing pumping plan provided on a software application. The fracturing plan may include instructions to perform at least one continuous pumping operations for the one or more wells. The instructions may include a sequence of valve operations to direct fluid flow through a selected path into the one or more wells.

Claims (20)

1. A method, comprising:

pumping fluids into a first well via at least one pump manifold by opening a first set of valves;

stabilizing a pressure in the first well by reducing a pump rate of the fluids to a reduced pump rate;

once the pressure in the first well is stabilized at the reduced pump rate, pumping the fluids into a second well via the at least one pump manifold while continuously pumping the fluids into the first well by opening a second set of valves;

closing the first set of valves to stop pumping the fluids into the first well; and

isolating and continuously pumping the fluids into the second well.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before closing the first set of valves, stabilizing a pressure in the first well and the second well.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing of the pressure in the first well and the second well comprises reducing a pump rate of the fluids.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

pumping the fluids into a third well via the at least one pump manifold while continuously pumping the fluids into the second well by opening a third set of valves;

closing the second set of valves to stop pumping the fluids into the second well;

isolating and continuously pumping the fluids into the third well.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising, before closing the second set of valves, stabilizing a pressure in the second well and the third well.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the stabilizing of the pressure in the second well and the third well comprises reducing a pump rate of the fluids.

7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

pumping the fluids into a fourth well via the at least one pump manifold while continuously pumping the fluids into the third well by opening a fourth set of valves;

closing the third set of valves to stop pumping the fluids into the third well;

isolating and continuously pumping the fluids into the fourth well.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising, before closing the third set of valves, stabilizing a pressure in the third well and the fourth well.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the stabilizing of the pressure in the third well and the fourth well comprises reducing a pump rate of the fluids.

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 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63153607 · Feb 25, 2021
Related Publication 20220268141A1 · Aug 25, 2022
Cited By (5)
US 12,492,625 US 12,534,993 US 12,644,368 US 12,662,925 US 12,692,776