U.S. patent application number 13/723387 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-27 for cleaning of water from drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Durden. Invention is credited to Michael Durden.
Application Number | 20130160989 13/723387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48653413 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130160989 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Durden; Michael |
June 27, 2013 |
CLEANING OF WATER FROM DRILLING AND HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
OPERATIONS
Abstract
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for
cleaning water from drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations
for reuse and/or release into the environment.
Inventors: |
Durden; Michael; (Haddock,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Durden; Michael |
Haddock |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48653413 |
Appl. No.: |
13/723387 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61578367 |
Dec 21, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/90.1 ;
137/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 21/063 20130101;
Y10T 137/0318 20150401; E21B 41/00 20130101; E21B 43/26
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/90.1 ;
137/1 |
International
Class: |
E21B 21/06 20060101
E21B021/06; E21B 41/00 20060101 E21B041/00 |
Claims
1. A system for cleaning water used in drilling or hydraulic
fracturing operations comprising: a site pad, wherein the site pad
is comprised of equipment selected from the group consisting of: a
drill rig, fracking equipment, a work over rig, and a combination
thereof; a mobile storage tank, wherein the mobile storage tank is
used to store water selected from the group consisting of: fresh
water, contaminated water, and a combination thereof, wherein the
mobile storage tank is connected to the site pad by at least one
supply line and at least one return line; a cleaning unit, wherein
the cleaning unit is connected to the mobile storage tank by at
least one supply line and at least one return line; at least one
mobile frac tank, wherein the at least one mobile frac tank is
connected to the cleaning unit by at least one supply line and at
least one return line, and wherein the at least one mobile frac
tank is connected to the site pad by at least one supply line and
at least one return line; and an earth pit, wherein the earth pit
is connected to the cleaning unit by at least one supply line and
at least one return line, and wherein the earth pit is connected to
the site pad by at least one supply line and at least one return
line.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile storage tank comprises
a capacity of about 500 gallons to about 300,000 barrels of
water.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit comprises at
least one of the group consisting of: a filter, electricity,
microbes, bacteria, chemicals, medias, natural cleaners, dilution,
and a combination thereof.
4. A system for cleaning water used in drilling or hydraulic
fracturing operations comprising: a site pad; at least one supply
line; at least one waste water holding tank; at least one return
line; at least one cleaning unit; and at least one clean water
storage tank.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one supply line is
used for transporting cleaned water in the system and the at least
one return line is used for transporting contaminated water in the
system.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the cleaning system is comprised
of at least one of the following: a filter, a chemical,
electricity, microbes, bacteria, all natural cleaners, diluted with
fresh water, and a combination thereof.
7. The system of claim 4, wherein the site pad is connected to the
at least one waste water holding tank by at least one return line,
the waste water holding tank is connected to the at least one
cleaning unit by at least one return line, the clean water storage
tank is connected to the cleaning unit by at least one supply line,
and the site pad is connected to the clean water storage tank by at
least one supply line.
8. The system of claim 4, further comprising at least one earth
pit, wherein the earth pit comprises a pit dug into the ground at
the site, and wherein the earth pit is lined.
9. The system of claim 4, further comprising at least one mobile
frac tank, wherein the at least one mobile frac tank is used for
storage of fresh or contaminated water.
10. A method for on-site cleaning of water used in drilling and
hydraulic fracturing processes comprising: transporting water and
fluids resulting from drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes
from a site pad to at least one waste water holding tank;
transporting at least a portion of the water and fluids from the at
least one waste water holding tank to at least one cleaning unit,
wherein the water and fluids are cleaned; and transporting the
clean water to at least one clean water storage tank.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the water and fluids are
prescreened prior to entering the at least one waste water holding
tank.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one waste water
holding tank is lined with a membrane and selected from the group
consisting of: a tank, a pond, and a combination thereof.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the membrane is comprised of a
material selected from the group consisting of: rubber, plastic,
and a combination thereof.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the cleaning unit is comprised
of at least one selected from the group consisting of: a filter,
electricity, microbes, bacteria, chemicals, medias, natural
cleaners, dilution, and a combination thereof.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the water and fluids are
transported to the waste water holding tank via at least one
selected from the group consisting of: a supply line, a return
line, a truck, and a combination thereof.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the water and fluids are
transported to the cleaning unit via at least one selected from the
group consisting of: a supply line, a return line, a truck, and a
combination thereof.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the cleaned water is
transported to the storage tank via at least one selected from the
group consisting of: a supply line, a return line, a truck, and a
combination thereof.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the holding
tank, cleaning unit, and storage tank are portable.
19. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the holding
tank, cleaning system, and storage tank are semi-permanent to the
operations site.
20. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the holding
tank, cleaning system, and storage tank are permanent to the
operations site.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S.
provisional application entitled "Cleaning of Water from
Drilling/Hydraulic Fracturing Operations," having Ser. No.
61/578,367 filed on Dec. 21, 2011, which is entirely incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking or fraccing)
and drilling operations require substantial amounts of fresh water
and result in flow back/produced water contaminated with
particulate matter, suspended solids, bacteria, hydrocarbons, and
heavy metals, among other contaminants. The purpose of cleaning the
flow back/produced water from oil and gas drilling operations is to
reduce the contamination potential to drinking water as well as the
environment when the water or fluids are disposed of in underground
wells or discharged into water systems (untreated).
[0003] In addition, the flow back/produced water must be cleaned of
additives, so that the viscosity or make-up of the water does not
change, and the water does not get saturated with the drilling
fluids/chemicals used in the fracking and drilling processes. If
the water becomes saturated or has a high concentration of the
fluids/chemicals, then the water will be harmful to humans that are
exposed to the water. Moreover, the entire process of drilling or
fracking must be changed because the levels are elevated and will
change how the process of drilling or fracking works. Thus, if the
contaminated water resulting from fracking and drilling operations
is not cleaned, it not only poses a threat to the environment and
human life, but it cannot be used for any other purpose, including
re-use in drilling and fracking operations.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate
to methods of and systems for cleaning water and fluids that result
from drilling operations and/or hydraulic fracturing processes.
[0005] Briefly described, embodiments of the present disclosure
include a system for cleaning water used in drilling or hydraulic
fracturing operations comprising a site pad, where the site pad is
comprised of equipment selected from a drill rig, fracking
equipment, a work over rig, and a combination thereof, a mobile
storage tank, where the mobile storage tank is used to store water
selected from fresh water, contaminated water, and a combination
thereof, where the mobile storage tank is connected to the site pad
by at least one supply line and at least one return line, a
cleaning unit, where the cleaning unit is connected to the mobile
storage tank by at least one supply line and at least one return
line, at least one mobile frac tank, where the at least one mobile
frac tank is connected to the cleaning unit by at least one supply
line and at least one return line, and where the at least one
mobile frac tank is connected to the site pad by at least one
supply line and at least one return line; and an earth pit, where
the earth pit is connected to the cleaning unit by at least one
supply line and at least one return line, and where the earth pit
is connected to the site pad by at least one supply line and at
least one return line.
[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for
cleaning water used in drilling or hydraulic fracturing operations
comprising a site pad, at least one supply line, at least one waste
water holding tank, at least one return line, at least one cleaning
unit, and at least one clean water storage tank.
[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for
on-site cleaning of water used in drilling and hydraulic fracturing
processes comprising transporting water and fluids resulting from
drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes from a site pad to at
least one waste water holding tank, transporting at least a portion
of the water and fluids from the at least one waste water holding
tank to at least one cleaning unit, where the water and fluids are
cleaned, and transporting the clean water to at least one clean
water storage tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.
Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the system and method
for cleaning water from drilling and hydraulic fracturing
operations for reuse and/or release into the environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Before the present disclosure is described in greater
detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited
to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary.
It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for
the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not
intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure
will be limited only by the appended claims.
[0011] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon
reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments
described and illustrated herein has discrete components and
features which may be readily separated from or combined with the
features of any of the other several embodiments without departing
from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Any recited
method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any
other order that is logically possible.
[0012] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, reference to "a support" includes a plurality of
supports. In this specification and in the claims that follow,
reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined
to have the following meanings unless a contrary intention is
apparent.
Definitions:
[0013] As used herein, hydraulic fracturing refers to the breaking
apart of rock formations underground that are encountered with
drilling an oil or gas well.
[0014] Flow back water includes water/fluids/chemicals that come
out of the well when it is drilled and/or a frac has been performed
on the well.
[0015] Produced water is also water and fluids/chemicals that come
out or is created from the well, while it is producing oil or gas.
This produced water usually comes out of the well everyday for the
life of the well. The amount that comes from the well varies from
well to well.
Discussion:
[0016] The present disclosure pertains to a method of and system
for cleaning water (e.g., flow back and produced) and fluids that
result from drilling operations and/or hydraulic fracturing
processes (e.g., oil, gas, wet and dry gas operations). In an
embodiment, the method is used to clean the water of some or all of
the foreign materials/contaminants so that it can be reused or
released back into the environment.
[0017] The process of cleaning water is used in the drilling,
fraccing, or work over of an oil or gas well. During these
operations, large amounts of water are needed to crack open
underground rock and shale so that the fossil fuels can be
extracted from the earth. This works by pumping large volumes of
water into the ground under high pressures to crack open the
underground rock and/or shale layers. Fluids, sand and/or small
pellets are mixed with the water and pumped down the well. This
mixture varies between drilling companies and areas where the work
is being performed, but the intention is to crack open the ground
inside the well with the water and mixture combined, so that the
fluid will work into the cracks made by the high pressures and
large volumes of water, and hold open the cracks so that the fossil
fuels can be extracted over time.
[0018] The volume of water used in these processes varies,
depending on how deep the well is and the layers of material that
need to be opened. For example, the volume of water can be from
about 500 barrels and up, depending on the well and if there are
multiple wells to be worked in the area. Once the water is pumped
down the well under these high pressures, the well will push back
up some or all of the water used in the process. The water that
flows back is thus contaminated with all of the material that was
used in the process, plus salt and/or brine. This water may need to
be reused in the same process at the site or may need to be
relocated to another neighboring well that needs this same process
performed. If there is not a well within a reasonable distance,
then the dirty used water may need to be disposed of.
[0019] Before re-use or disposal of the water/fluids, the used
liquids must be cleaned of the drilling, fraccing or work over rig
fluids. The foreign material needs to be extracted before reuse
and/or disposal of the water in order to reduce the potential of
contamination of ground water and drinking water supplies, as well
as the environment.
[0020] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, cleaning
the water is accomplished by the use of filters and/or screens to
clean some or all foreign material/contaminants (e.g., drilling
chemicals, rock, sand, drilling fluids, salt, i.e., anything that
was not in the water prior to use of the water) from the water to
archive a reusable product. The filters are comprised of all types
of media, screens, and/or paper and comprise various different
sizes, depending on what needs to be taken out of the water. In
another embodiment, foreign material is removed by the use of
chemicals, the type(s) of which is chosen depending on the weather,
region, depth, soil conditions, and/or the type of well drilled,
among other factors which are known to one of skill in the art. The
chemical(s) removes foreign matter and/or material/contaminants
that have gotten into the water or fluids used in the drilling and
fracturing process.
[0021] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water is
cleaned (e.g., it is cleaned to contain acceptable levels of
contaminants, which are regulated by each state as well as the
federal government) by diluting the water and/or fluids with fresh
water to lower the percentage of foreign material per gallon. Other
methods of cleaning the water/fluids include, but are not limited
to, the use of electricity (e.g., AC/DC or both), microbes,
bacteria, chemical treatment and/or natural cleaners (e.g., plant
based or tree/shrub material). Electricity, for example, is used to
separate the foreign material so that the water can be extracted
for reuse, and all the waste can be discarded. Microbes (manmade)
are organisms that can eat all of the foreign material from the
water before reuse or disposal. Bacteria (natural) are used in the
same process as this, but are naturally made and put into the water
or increased in the water to aid in cleaning.
[0022] Drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations use water in
the process of drilling a well or fracturing an existing well, so
that the well is able to keep producing or to produce. These
processes require water storage at the site. In an embodiment of
the present disclosure, water is stored in ponds or manmade
ponds/earth pits (e.g., holes dug in the ground and lined with a
rubber or plastic membrane to prevent leaks). In another
embodiment, water is stored in metal trailers, plastic, fiber glass
and/or metal containers. In another embodiment, water is put into
manmade metal tanks that comprise prefabricated metal panels that
either pin together or bolt together or both. These panels are
different sizes, shapes, thickness and length, depending on how
much fluid needs to be stored. In an embodiment of the present
disclosure, the storage containers are portable and/or mobile.
[0023] Once cleaned, the water is removed along with all mobile
holding tanks or pre-fabricated containment tanks/ponds. In an
embodiment of the present disclosure, the area where the
tanks/ponds were, are leveled out, and grass put back, so that the
area is returned to its previous condition (e.g., looks like it did
before the water cleaning process began).
[0024] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water is
treated multiple times to reduce the foreign material/contaminants
in the water (e.g, 2 times, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, 6 times,
etc.). The number of treatments depends on how contaminated the
water is to begin with and how clean it needs to be to meet any
state and/or federal requirements. In an embodiment of the present
disclosure, this is accomplished by setting up multiple units. For
example, a unit that uses electricity varies in size with different
rates of current. Varying the current affects the cleanliness,
i.e., the current or volts change, depending on how dirty the water
is or how clean the water needs to be for reuse or discharge into
the environment. A unit that uses filters, microbes, and/or
bacteria is similar. The mesh size of the filters and/or the amount
of microbes and/or bacteria used varies to achieve different levels
of cleanliness. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, any of
these treatments are combined to achieve the level of cleanliness
needed. In another embodiment, filters (or other cleaning methods)
are used consecutively so that the water gets cleaned in one pass
through the system of the present disclosure. In another
embodiment, the water may be treated several times with the same
cleaning method, for example, multiple treatments with electricity,
multiple treatments with filters, multiple bacterial treatments,
multiple treatments with microbes, or multiple treatments with
dilution chemicals.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of
water that can be treated per hour or per day is adjusted (e.g.,
adjusted up or down), depending on how much clean water is needed
per hour or day. This is accomplished by using larger units (i.e.,
cleaning systems and or storage containers) or multiple units
(i.e., multiple cleaning systems and/or storage containers) at once
to achieve the desired results.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
pre-fabricated tanks are made of steel panels that pin or bolt
together. In another embodiment, the tanks are made to hold
different volumes of water, depending on how much water is needed
on the site. In another embodiment, a second, smaller tank can be
brought to the site when the process of cleaning the water starts.
This second, smaller tank is used to hold the cleaned water in
preparation for transport to another site or to be moved for
disposal or reuse. This clean water storage tank may also vary in
size, depending on how many trucks are on site or how quickly the
water needs to be moved or just removed from the site. In an
embodiment, the clean water is put directly in to transport trucks,
without any additional holding/storage tanks.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water that
flows back from the well for reuse or disposal can be stored in one
of or a combination of earth pits that have been previously dug
into the ground near the site, large temporary storage tanks that
are erected on site or frac tanks that are hauled to the site empty
and then filled once they are staged onsite to hold fresh water and
flow back water. In an embodiment, any or all of these storage
methods have a dual use. For example, they can hold fresh water
before the start of the well and used water and fluids during and
after the completion of the well. In an embodiment, these storage
methods range from about 250 barrels and upwards of about 200,000
barrels of capacity or higher, if needed. In another embodiment,
the fresh water and used water are piped or hauled by truck to one
or more of the storage methods if the holding method or methods are
not located on the site where the well is located.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cleaning
process is used to clean the nitrogen, propane and/or natural gas
which is also used in the facing or work over of a well. The
nitrogen, propane and/or natural gas or combination of any or all
of these are also used in the process of fraccing a well or the
work over of a well. Nitrogen, propane and/or natural gas is also a
process to aid in cracking open the ground inside of a well.
Foreign material is added to the nitrogen, propane and/or natural
gas that helps to hold open the cracks in the ground so that the
fossil fuels can be extracted. The foreign material has to be
extracted after completing the well, therefore, to make either the
nitrogen, propane and/or natural gas usable or prior to disposal of
the material.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the entire
system/method can be adapted for colder climates. In an embodiment,
heaters are used to keep the water from freezing in extremely cold
conditions. In another embodiment, insulation is added to the above
ground storage containers or tanks. In another embodiment, covers
are included as well as in line heaters on any piping that is in
danger of freezing.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the entire
system/method is monitored by electronic gauges that read
everything from flow, temperature, level of treatment, and water
quality, etc. The amount of flow will depend on the volume needed
to complete the well. In an embodiment, water is cleaned prior to
the well ever starting operations and is contained in one of the
storage containment systems so that it is onsite and ready for use
when the well is going to be worked. In another embodiment, the
process of cleaning the water is done prior, during or after the
well is worked.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system
and/or method is performed on any size scale to match the volume
that needs to be treated, and it varies from well site and
geographic location. One skilled in the art would appreciate that
there is no limit to the number of times that the water, nitrogen,
propane or natural gas can be reused, as long as it continues to
meet safe and/or acceptable level for reuse.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the entire
system/method is set up onsite for the completion of one well
(e.g., meaning that everything is temporary). In another
embodiment, at least a portion of the system/method is set up as a
semi-permanent site, if multiple wells are in the area. In another
embodiment, the entire system/method is set up as a semi-permanent
site. In another embodiment, the system/method is used for treating
other companies' water needs as well. Embodiments of the present
disclosure are also used in areas where a draught has affected the
amount of water accessible to oil companies. In an embodiment, once
the well is completed, the entire operation can be relocated to a
totally new geographical area.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the system and method
for cleaning water from drilling and/or hydraulic fracturing
operations. The water cleaning system of the present disclosure
comprises a site pad 101, on which the drill rig, fraccing
equipment or work over rig sits. A mobile storage tank 102 is used
to store either fresh or contaminated water (e.g., waste water
holding tank). The mobile storage tank 102 is connected to the site
pad by at least one supply line 106 and at least one return line
107. The return line 107 is optional, depending on the
application.
[0034] A cleaning unit 103 is connected to the mobile storage tank
102 by at least one supply line 108 and at least one return line
109. The supply line 108 is optional, depending on the application.
At least one mobile frac tank 105 is connected to the cleaning unit
103 by at least one supply line 110 and at least one return line
111. The supply line 110 is optional, depending on the application.
The at least one mobile frac tank 105 is further connected to the
site pad by at least one supply line 112 and at least one return
line 113.
[0035] An earth pit 104 (e.g., waste water holding tank) is
connected to the cleaning unit 103 by at least one supply line 114
and at least one return line 115. The supply line is optional,
depending on the application. The earth pit 104 is connected to the
site pad 101 by at least one supply line 116 and at least one
return line 117. The return line is optional, depending on the
application.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system is
comprised of several components (e.g., holding tanks or ponds,
clean water storage tanks). In an embodiment, at least one
component is designed to be mobile. In another embodiment, at least
one component is designed to be semi-permanent. In yet another
embodiment, at least one component of the system is designed to be
permanent. Once the process is complete, the components are moved
to the next site and/or removed all together to restore the land to
its original condition.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
treated/cleaned water may also be used on a competitor's well that
is closer to the previous job in order to lower transport costs.
Since multiple wells are in these fields, the treated or clean
reusable water can be traded between companies to further lower
transport costs and reduce the need to obtain fresh water from
ground sources.
EXAMPLES
[0038] A typical fracking and/or drilling site uses water from a
couple of days or many months. This depends on the size of the well
at the site as well as on the depth of the well being worked or
drilled. Another factor includes how many stages are inside the
well that need fracking. Further, there may be one well or multiple
wells in one area that can use the same system without it needing
to be moved, which would make the site stay in one place for up to
years. This would depend on how many wells are in the same area as
the cleaning system. The water could be moved to other wells in the
area by trucks or extending pipe to the next location or locations,
if needed.
[0039] It should be noted that ratios, concentrations, amounts, and
other numerical data may be expressed herein in a range format. It
is to be understood that such a range format is used for
convenience and brevity, and thus, should be interpreted in a
flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly
recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the
individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that
range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly
recited. To illustrate, a concentration range of "about 0.1% to
about 5%" should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly
recited concentration of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, but also
include individual concentrations (e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and
the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.5%, 1.1%, 2.2%, 3.3%, and 4.4%) within the
indicated range. The term "about" can include .+-.1%, .+-.2%,
.+-.3%, .+-.4%, .+-.5%, .+-.6%, .+-.7%, .+-.8%, .+-.9%, or .+-.10%,
or more of the numerical value(s) being modified. In an embodiment,
the term "about" can include traditional rounding according to the
numerical value. In addition, the phrase "about `x` to `y`"
includes "about `x` to about `y`".
[0040] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments
of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of
implementations, and are merely set forth for a clear understanding
of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and
modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All
such modifications and variations are intended to be included
herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the
following claims.
* * * * *