Granted Patent B2

US 12,331,624 · App. 17/597,034 · Granted Jun 17, 2025

Inventors: Travis Lee Bolt (Conroe, TX); Lewis Paul Callaway (College Station, TX); Eric O'Reilly Sears (College Station, TX); Jonathan Tyler Maxwell (Willis, TX)

Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.

E21B43/2607E21B43/267F16L1/10F16L27/127F16L37/1205

Abstract

Claims (32)

1. A close coupled processing system, comprising:

a fluid processing system for producing frac fluid for frac operations;

a fluid distribution system for distributing the frac fluid to a plurality of pressurization units; and

a fluid connection connecting the fluid processing system and the fluid distribution system, comprising:

a first pipe fixed to the fluid processing system having a portion within the boundary of the fluid processing system defining a first longitudinal axis that is configured to be and remain stationary relative to the fluid processing system before, during, and after connection; and

a second pipe fixed to the fluid distribution system having a portion within the boundary of the fluid distribution system defining a second longitudinal axis that is configured to be and remain stationary relative to the fluid distribution system before, during, and after connection;

wherein the first and second pipes are configured for direct connection to one another, wherein the first axis is configured to be aligned with the second axis.

2. The close coupled processing system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid connection comprises no more than two fluid connections.

3. The close coupled processing system of claim 2 , further comprising a cross communication system.

4. The close coupled processing system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid connection carries a same amount of fluid as multiple parallel human handleable hoses.

5. The close coupled processing system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid processing system is configured for 3-axis alignment with the fluid distribution system.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising a vertical adjustment mechanism on at least one of the fluid processing system and the fluid distribution system.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a two-direction vertical alignment mechanism.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a cross communication system.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the connection is a boltless connection.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the boltless connection is an automated connection.

11. A frac system, comprising:

a fluid processing system for producing frac fluid for frac operations;

a fluid distribution system for distributing the frac fluid to a plurality of pressurization units;

a fluid connection connecting the fluid processing system and the fluid distribution system, comprising:

a first pipe fixed to the fluid processing system having a portion within the boundary of the fluid processing system defining a first longitudinal axis that is configured to be and remain stationary relative to the fluid processing system before, during, and after connection; and

a second pipe fixed to the fluid distribution system having a portion within the boundary of the fluid distribution system defining a second longitudinal axis that is configured to be and remain stationary relative to the fluid distribution system before, during, and after connection;

wherein the first and second pipes are configured for direct connection to one another, wherein the first axis is configured to be aligned with the second axis;

a power distribution system for distributing power to the plurality of pressurization units; and

the plurality of pressurization units, wherein the pressurization units are configured to pressurize the frac fluid and deliver the frac fluid to a wellhead.

12. The frac system of claim 11 , wherein the fluid distribution system and power distribution system are a combined system.

13. The frac system of claim 11 , wherein the fluid processing system is configured for 3-axis alignment with the fluid distribution system.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a vertical adjustment mechanism on at least one of the fluid processing system and the fluid distribution system.

15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a two-direction vertical alignment mechanism.

16. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a cross communication system.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the connection is a boltless connection.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the boltless connection is an automated connection.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (100)