U.S. patent application number 16/696364 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-29 for modular remote power generation and transmission for hydraulic fracturing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to U.S. Well Services, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is U.S. Well Services, LLC. Invention is credited to Brandon Neil HINDERLITER, Jared Oehring.
Application Number | 20200340340 16/696364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004945847 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200340340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oehring; Jared ; et
al. |
October 29, 2020 |
MODULAR REMOTE POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION FOR HYDRAULIC
FRACTURING SYSTEM
Abstract
A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean
formation includes a power generation system, a transmission
section, and an equipment load section. The power generation system
includes a turbine generator that generates electricity that is
used to power equipment in the equipment load section. The
equipment in the equipment load section conditions and pressurizes
fluid that is injected into a wellbore for fracturing the
formation. The power generation and equipment load sections are
distal from one another are separated by a long distance. The
transmission section connects the power generation and equipment
load sections, and thus spans the long distance between these
sections.
Inventors: |
Oehring; Jared; (Houston,
TX) ; HINDERLITER; Brandon Neil; (Houston,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
U.S. Well Services, LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
U.S. Well Services, LLC
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
1000004945847 |
Appl. No.: |
16/696364 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15183387 |
Jun 15, 2016 |
10526882 |
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16696364 |
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13679689 |
Nov 16, 2012 |
9410410 |
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15183387 |
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62180289 |
Jun 16, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/267 20130101;
E21B 43/26 20130101; H02P 29/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/26 20060101
E21B043/26; H02P 29/02 20060101 H02P029/02 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean
formation comprising: an electric motor; a pump coupled to the
motor, and that has a discharge in fluid communication with a
wellbore that intersects the formation, so that when the motor is
activated and drives the pump, pressurized fluid from the pump
pressurizes the wellbore to fracture the formation; a source of
electricity that is disposed a long distance from the electric
motor; and transmission lines that connect the source of
electricity to the electric motor and that span the long distance
between the source of electricity and the electric motor.
3. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 2, further comprising a
transformer between the transmission line and the source of
electricity.
4. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 2, further comprising a
transformer between the transmission line and the electric
motor.
5. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 2, wherein the source
of electricity is selected from the group consisting of a utility
outlet, a turbine generator, and a reciprocating engine
generator.
6. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 5, further comprising
an electric equipment room in communication with the turbine
generator and which controls operation of the turbine
generator.
7. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 2, further comprising a
switch gear between the transmission line and the source of
electricity, and another switch gear between the transmission line
and the electric motor.
8. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 7, further comprising a
transformer between the switch gear and the electric motor.
9. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 2, wherein the electric
motor comprises a first electric motor, the system further
comprising a multiplicity of electric motors, and wherein the
transmission lines are selectively moveable at different times to
provide electrical communication between the source of electricity
and the multiplicity of motors.
10. A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean
formation comprising: a power generation section; an equipment load
section that is a long distance from the power generation section,
and that comprises, an electric motor, and a pump driven by the
electric motor and that has a discharge in communication with a
wellbore that intersects the formation; and a transmission section
that extends between the power generation section and the equipment
load section, and through which the power generation section and
equipment load section are in electrical communication.
11. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 10, further comprising
a variable frequency drive in communication with the electric
motor, and that controls the speed of the motor, and performs
electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the electric
motor.
12. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 10, further comprising
lines that provide electrical communication from the transmission
section to electrically powered equipment disposed in the equipment
load section, and wherein the lines comprise a micro grid.
13. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 10, wherein the power
generation section comprises a turbine that is powered by natural
gas and that is coupled to a generator.
14. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 10, the transmission
section comprising a set of transmission lines, wherein at least
one of the transmission lines is a neutral line, and wherein
electricity at different phases is transmitted along the other
transmission lines.
15. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising:
driving a pump with an electric motor; transmitting electricity to
the electric motor from a power source that is a long distance from
the electric motor; pressurizing a fluid with the pump to form a
pressurized fluid; and fracturing the subterranean formation by
directing the pressurized fluid to a wellbore that intersects the
subterranean formation.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling a speed
of the motor with a variable frequency drive.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising performing
diagnostics on the electric motor with the variable frequency
drive.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising increasing a voltage
of the electricity proximate the power source with a transformer,
and decreasing the voltage of the electricity proximate the
electric motor.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising suspending
electrical communication between the power source and the electric
motor with one of a cutout or a switch gear.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the electric motor comprises a
first electric motor, the pump comprises a first pump, the wellbore
comprises a first wellbore, and the subterranean formation
comprises a first subterranean formation, and wherein the step of
transmitting electricity to the electric motor comprises
transmitting electricity across a transmission section that has an
end in electrical communication with the power source, and another
end that is in electrical communication with the first electric
motor, the method further comprising, disconnecting the end of the
transmission section that is in communication with the first
electric motor and reconnecting that end to a second electric motor
is a long distance from the power supply and that is connected to a
second pump, and pressurizing fluid with the second pump and
directing the pressurized fluid to a second wellbore for fracturing
a second subterranean formation.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein the power source comprises a
power generation section that includes devices selected from the
group consisting of a utility outlet, a turbine generator, and an
electrical equipment room.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/183,387, filed Jun. 15, 2016, and claims
priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
No. 62/180,140, filed Jun. 16, 2015, and is a continuation-in-part
of, and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/679,689, filed Nov. 16, 2012, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,410,410, issued Aug. 9, 2016, the full disclosures of which
are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to hydraulic fracturing of
subterranean formations. In particular, the present disclosure
relates to a method and device for remotely generating and
transmitting power for hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean
formation.
2. Description of Prior Art
[0003] Hydraulic fracturing is a technique used to stimulate
production from some hydrocarbon producing wells. The technique
usually involves injecting fluid into a wellbore at a pressure
sufficient to generate fissures in the formation surrounding the
wellbore. Typically the pressurized fluid is injected into a
portion of the wellbore that is pressure isolated from the
remaining length of the wellbore so that fracturing is limited to a
designated portion of the formation. The fracturing fluid slurry,
whose primary component is usually water, includes proppant (such
as sand or ceramic) that migrate into the fractures with the
fracturing fluid slurry and remain to prop open the fractures after
pressure is no longer applied to the wellbore. Sometimes, nitrogen,
carbon dioxide, foam, diesel, or other fluids are used as the
primary component instead of water. A typical hydraulic fracturing
fleet may include a data van unit, blender unit, hydration unit,
chemical additive unit, hydraulic fracturing pump unit, sand
equipment, wireline, and other equipment.
[0004] Traditionally, the fracturing fluid slurry has been
pressurized on surface by high pressure pumps powered by diesel
engines. To produce the pressures required for hydraulic
fracturing, the pumps and associated engines have substantial
volume and mass. Heavy duty trailers, skids, or trucks are required
for transporting the large and heavy pumps and engines to sites
where wellbores are being fractured. Each hydraulic fracturing pump
usually includes power and fluid ends, seats, valves, springs, and
keepers internally. These parts allow the pump to draw in low
pressure fluid (approximately 100 psi) and discharge the same fluid
at high pressures (up to 15,000 psi or more). The diesel engines
and transmission which power hydraulic fracturing units typically
generate large amounts of vibrations of both high and low
frequencies. These vibrations are generated by the diesel engine,
the transmission, the hydraulic fracturing pump as well as the
large cooling fan and radiator needed to cool the engine and
transmission. Low frequency vibrations and harshness are greatly
increased by the large cooling fans and radiator required to cool
the diesel engine and transmission. In addition, the diesel engine
and transmission are coupled to the hydraulic fracturing pump
through a u-joint drive shaft, which requires a three degree offset
from the horizontal output of the transmission to the horizontal
input of the hydraulic fracturing pump. Diesel powered hydraulic
fracturing units are known to jack and jump while operating in the
field from the large amounts of vibrations. The vibrations may
contribute to fatigue failures of many differed parts of a
hydraulic fracturing unit. Recently electrical motors have been
introduced to replace the diesel motors, which greatly reduces the
noise generated by the equipment during operation. Because of the
high pressures generated by the pumps, and that the pumps used for
pressurizing the fracturing fluid are reciprocating pumps, a
significant amount of vibration is created when pressurizing the
fracturing fluid. The vibration transmits to the piping that
carries the fracturing fluid and its associated equipment, thereby
increasing probabilities of mechanical failure for the piping and
equipment, and also shortening their useful operational time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Disclosed herein is an example of a hydraulic fracturing
system for fracturing a subterranean formation which includes an
electric motor, a pump coupled to the motor, and that has a
discharge in fluid communication with a wellbore that intersects
the formation, so that when the motor is activated and drives the
pump, pressurized fluid from the pump pressurizes the wellbore to
fracture the formation, a variable frequency drive in communication
with the electric motor, and that controls the speed of the motor,
and performs electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the
electric motor, a source of electricity that is disposed a long
distance from the electric motor, and transmission lines that
connect the source of electricity to the electric motor and that
span the long distance between the source of electricity and the
electric motor. The system can further include a transformer
between the transmission line and the source of electricity as well
as a transformer between the transmission line and the electric
motor. The source of electricity can be a utility outlet, a turbine
generator, or a generator powered by any other source. An electric
equipment room can be included that is in communication with the
turbine generator and which controls operation of the turbine
generator. A switch gear can optionally be included between the
transmission line and the source of electricity, and another switch
gear can be included between the transmission line and the electric
motor. In this example, a transformer can be disposed between the
switch gear and the electric motor. The electric motor can be a
first electric motor, in this embodiment the system further
includes a multiplicity of electric motors disposed at different
locations, and wherein the transmission lines are selectively
moveable at different times to provide electrical communication
between the source of electricity and the multiplicity of
motors.
[0006] Another example of a hydraulic fracturing system for
fracturing a subterranean formation disclosed herein is made up of
a power generation section, an equipment load section that is a
long distance from the power generation section, and which has an
electric motor and a pump driven by the electric motor and that has
a fluid discharge in communication with a wellbore that intersects
the formation. The system also includes a power transmission
section that extends between the power generation section and the
equipment load section, and through which the power generation
section and equipment load section are in electrical communication.
The system can include a variable frequency drive in communication
with the electric motor, and that controls the speed of the motor,
and performs electric motor diagnostics to prevent damage to the
electric motor. Lines can be included that provide electrical
communication from the transmission section to electrically powered
equipment disposed in the equipment load section, and wherein the
lines make up a micro grid. The power generation section can
include a turbine that is powered by natural gas and that is
coupled to a generator. In an alternative, the transmission section
has a set of transmission lines, wherein electricity at different
phases is transmitted along different lines in the set of lines.
Optionally, a one of the lines is a neutral line.
[0007] Also described herein is a method of fracturing a
subterranean formation and which includes driving a pump with an
electrical motor, transmitting electricity to the electrical motor
from a power source that is a long distance from the electrical
motor, pressurizing a fluid with the pump to form a pressurized
fluid, and fracturing the subterranean formation by directing the
pressurized fluid to a wellbore that intersects the subterranean
formation. The method can also include controlling a speed of the
motor with a variable frequency drive, as well as performing
diagnostics on the electric motor. In one example, a voltage of the
electricity proximate the power source is increased with a
transformer, and the voltage of the electricity is decreased
proximate the electric motor. Optionally, electrical communication
can be suspended between the power source and the electrical motor
with one of a cutout or a switch gear. In an embodiment, the
electrical motor is a first electrical motor, the pump is a first
pump, the wellbore is a first wellbore, and the subterranean
formation is a first subterranean formation; in this example
transmitting electricity to the electrical motor includes
transmitting electricity across a transmission section that has an
end in electrical communication with the power source, and another
end that is in electrical communication with the first electrical
motor, here the method also includes disconnecting the end of the
transmission section that is in communication with the first
electrical motor and reconnecting that end to a second electrical
motor is a long distance from the power supply and that is
connected to a second pump, and pressurizing fluid with the second
pump and directing the pressurized fluid to a second wellbore for
fracturing a second subterranean formation. The power source can be
a power generation section that includes devices such as a utility
outlet, a turbine generator, and an electrical equipment room.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] Some of the features and benefits of the present invention
having been stated, others will become apparent as the description
proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an example of a hydraulic
fracturing system having power generation, power transmission, and
power load sections.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic of an example of a power generation
section for use in the hydraulic fracturing system of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an example of a power load section
for use in the hydraulic fracturing system of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an alternate example of the
hydraulic fracturing system of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic of an alternate example of the
hydraulic fracturing system of FIG. 1 having multiple equipment
load sections.
[0014] While the invention will be described in connection with the
preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0015] The method and system of the present disclosure will now be
described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which embodiments are shown. The method and system of
the present disclosure may be in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set
forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey its
scope to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout. In an embodiment, usage of the term "about"
includes +/-5% of the cited magnitude. In an embodiment, usage of
the term "substantially" includes +/-5% of the cited magnitude.
[0016] It is to be further understood that the scope of the present
disclosure is not limited to the exact details of construction,
operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as
modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in
the art. In the drawings and specification, there have been
disclosed illustrative embodiments and, although specific terms are
employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and
not for the purpose of limitation.
[0017] Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic example of a hydraulic
fracturing system 10, and which includes a power generation section
12, a transmission section 14, and an equipment load section 16. A
electricity source 18 shown in the power generation section 12 for
providing electricity to the equipment load section 16. Examples of
the electricity source 18 include a utility outlet or a generator;
which is used to generate electricity, and in one embodiment the
generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy which
is transmitted across the transmission section 14 to power devices
in the equipment load section 16. Other embodiments of the
electricity source 18 include a turbine generator as well as a
diesel powered motor coupled with a generator. An electrical
equipment room ("EER") 20 is shown disposed adjacent the
electricity source 18, and which controls operation of the
electricity source 18 when the electricity source 18 is a turbine
generator. Examples of controlling operation of the electricity
source 18 include monitoring operational parameters of the turbine
generator; such as its operating conditions (i.e. rpm and
temperature), its electrical output, electrical phase angles, and
its energy input, and adjusting operations of the turbine generator
based on the monitored conditions; as well as start-up and
shut-down of the turbine generator. A switch gear 22 is illustrated
in electrical communication with an output of the EER 20 via a line
24. Switch gear 22 provides electrical isolation between the
electrical output of electricity source 18 and transmission section
14.
[0018] An output of switch gear 22 connects to a cutout 26 via a
line 28. Cutout 26 is disposed within the transmission section 14
of the fracturing system 10, and is selectively opened to
electrically isolate power generation section 12 from transmission
section 14. An output end of cutout 26 connects to transmission
lines 30.sub.1-4, where transmission lines 30.sub.1-4 define an
example of a transmission line set 31. Transmission lines
30.sub.1-4 transmit electricity from cutout 26 to another cutout
32, which is disposed proximate equipment load section 16. In one
embodiment, one of the transmission lines 30.sub.1-4 is a ground or
neutral, while the remaining transmission lines 30.sub.1-4 carry
electricity that is at different phases. Transmission section 14
can be selectively isolated from equipment load section 16 by
activating switching components in cutout 32. A switch gear 34
disposed in the equipment load section 16 electrically connects to
cutout 32 via a line 36. Switch gear 34 provides electrical
isolation between line 36 and equipment load 38. Equipment load 38,
which connects to switch gear 34 through line 40, represents end
users of electricity generated by electricity source 18, and which
as described in more detail below, pressurizes fluid that is used
to fracture a subterranean formation.
[0019] In the illustrated example, power generation system 12 is
located distal from equipment load section 16, and the transmission
section 14 and transmission lines 30.sub.1-4 necessarily span the
distance between power generation system 12 and equipment load
section 16. Example distances between power generation system 12
and equipment load section 16 include up to about one mile, up to
about five miles, up to about 20 miles, up to about 50 miles, up to
about 100 miles, up to about 300 miles, up to about all distances
between the cited distances, and about one mile, five miles, 20
miles, 50 miles, 100 miles, 300 miles, and all distances there
between. For the purposes of discussion herein, a long distance
between a power generation system 12 and equipment load section 16
is at least one half of a mile. Advantages of a transmission
section 14 that extends long distances, include that the fracturing
system 10 disclosed herein can operate at a designated operation
performance and overcome physical conditions that are present at a
fracturing site. Such physical conditions include insufficient
available space proximate a well site that is being fractured to
accommodate both the equipment load section 16 and power generation
section 12. Other restrictions may prevent the power generation
system 12 from being situated with or proximate to the equipment
load section 16, such as noise and emissions restrictions local to
an area being fractured (i.e. wildlife preserves, residential
neighborhoods, airports). Thus the power generation section 12 can
be set a long distance from the equipment load section 16, and yet
still provide ample electricity to operate the equipment load
section 16 to a designated performance level. Alternatively, the
power generation section 12 can be selectively connected to, and
power, multiple different equipment load sections 16 that are
disposed distal from the power generation section 12.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, an example of a turbine 44 is
schematically illustrated, and which receives a combustible fuel
from a fuel source 46 via a feed line 48. In one example, the
combustible fuel is natural gas, and the fuel source 46 can be a
container of natural gas or a well (not shown) proximate the
turbine 44. Combustion of the fuel in the turbine 44 in turn powers
a generator 50 that produces electricity. Shaft 52 connects
generator 50 to turbine 44. Optionally, other types of couplings,
such as gearing, can be used to connecting generator 50 to turbine
44. The combination of the turbine 44, generator 50, line 24, and
shaft 52 define one example of electricity source 18.
[0021] Shown in schematic form in FIG. 3 is one example of the
equipment load 38A of the hydraulic fracturing system 10 (FIG. 1),
and that is used for pressurizing a wellbore 60 to create fractures
62 in a subterranean formation 64 that surrounds the wellbore 60.
Included with the equipment load 38A is a hydration unit 66 that
receives fluid from a fluid source 68 via line 70, and also
selectively receives additives from an additive source 72 via line
74. Additive source 72 can be separate from the hydration unit 66
as a stand-alone unit, or can be included as part of the same unit
as the hydration unit 66. The fluid, which in one example is water,
is mixed inside of the hydration unit 66 with the additives. In an
embodiment, the fluid and additives are mixed over a period of time
to allow for uniform distribution of the additives within the
fluid. In the example of FIG. 2, the fluid and additive mixture is
transferred to a blender 76 via line 78. A proppant source 80
contains proppant, which is delivered to the blender 76 as
represented by line 82, where in one example, line 82 is a
conveyer. Inside the blender 76, the proppant and fluid/additive
mixture are combined to form a fracturing slurry, which is then
transferred to a fracturing pump 84 via line 86; thus fluid in line
86 includes the discharge of blender unit 76 which is the suction
(or boost) for the fracturing pump system 84. Blender 76 can have
an onboard chemical additive system, such as with chemical pumps
and augers. Optionally, additive source 72 can provide chemicals to
blender 76; or a separate and standalone chemical additive system
(not shown) can be provided for delivering chemicals to the blender
76. In an example, the pressure of the slurry in line 86 ranges
from around 80 psi to around 100 psi. The pressure of the slurry in
line 94 can be increased up to around 15,000 psi by pump 84. A
motor 88, which connects to pump 84 via connection 90, drives pump
84 so that it can pressurize the slurry. In one example, the
connection 90 is a direct coupling between an electric motor 88 and
a hydraulic fracturing pump 84. In another example, the connection
90 is more than one direct coupling, but includes one on each end
of the motor and two hydraulic fracturing pumps (not shown).
[0022] In an alternative, each hydraulic fracturing pump 84 is
decoupled independently from the main electric motor 88. In one
example, the motor 88 is controlled by a variable frequency drive
("VFD") 91. After being discharged from pump 84, slurry is injected
into a wellhead assembly 92; discharge piping 94 connects discharge
of pump 84 with wellhead assembly 92 and provides a conduit for the
slurry between the pump 84 and the wellhead assembly 92. In an
alternative, hoses or other connections can be used to provide a
conduit for the slurry between the pump 84 and the wellhead
assembly 92. Optionally, any type of fluid can be pressurized by
the fracturing pump 84 to form a fracturing fluid that is then
pumped into the wellbore 60 for fracturing the formation 64, and is
not limited to fluids having chemicals or proppant. Examples also
exist wherein the system 38A includes the ability to pump down
equipment, instrumentation, or other retrievable items through the
slurry into the wellbore.
[0023] Still referring to FIG. 3, an end of line 40 opposite from
switch gear 34 (FIG. 1) is shown connecting to and in electrical
communication with a power bus 96. Lines 98, 100, 102, 104, 106,
and 108 are depicted connected to power bus 96, and which transmit
electricity to electrically powered end users in the equipment load
38. More specifically, line 98 connects fluid source 68 to bus 96,
line 100 connects additive source 72 to bus 96, line 102 connects
hydration unit 66 to bus 96, line 104 connects proppant source 80
to bus 96, line 106 connects blender 76 to bus 96, and line 108
connects motor 88 to bus 96. In an embodiment, lines 24, 40, 98,
100, 102, 104, 106, 108, power bus 96, and transmission section 14
define a micro grid 109. In an example, additive source 72 contains
ten or more chemical pumps for supplementing the existing chemical
pumps on the hydration unit 66 and blender 76. Chemicals from the
additive source 72 can be delivered via lines 74 to either the
hydration unit 66 and/or the blender 76.
[0024] Depicted schematically in FIG. 4 is an alternate example of
a fracturing system 10A having a power generation section 12A that
includes multiple turbine generators 18A.sub.1-4, and multiple EERs
20A.sub.1, 2. In this example EER 20A.sub.1 is associated with and
controls turbine generators 18A.sub.1, 2; and EER 20A.sub.2 is
associated with and controls turbine generators 18A.sub.3, 4.
Alternatively, an EER could be provided for each turbine generator
so that every turbine generator has a dedicated EER. Electricity
generated by turbine generators 18A.sub.1, 2 is transmitted to
switch gear 22A.sub.1, and electricity generated by turbine
generators 18A.sub.3, 4 is transmitted to switch gear 22A.sub.2.
Output from switch gears 22A.sub.1, 2 is transmitted to switch gear
22A.sub.3, where switch gear 22A.sub.1-3 are all disposed within
power generation section 12A. In the example of FIG. 4,
transmission section 31A, including a transformer 110A and cutout
26A, is shown between power generation section 12A and transmission
section 14A, which can include transformer 112A and cutout 32A.
Transformer 110A can be connected to an output of switch gear
22A.sub.3 by line 28A. In an example, transformer 110A is a step up
transformer that increases voltage of the electricity being
supplied by the power generation section 12A and to reduce
electrical losses across the long distances of the transmission
section 14A. Example voltages of the electricity being generated by
electricity source 18, 18A.sub.1-4 range from around 4,160 V to
around 13,800 V. In one embodiment, transformer 110A steps up the
voltage of the electricity up to around 50,000 V, which includes
any value between 50,000 V and the voltage of the electricity
received by transformer 110A. A transformer 112A is shown disposed
at an end of transmission section 14A and proximate to equipment
load section 16A. In one embodiment, transformer 112A is a step
down transformer and reduces the voltage of the electricity being
transmitted across transmission section 14A. Examples exist where
the transformer 112A reduces voltage of the electricity to around
13,800 V, 4160 V, to around 600 V, to around 480 V, other voltages,
or to voltages as needed by equipment in the equipment load section
16A.
[0025] Still referring to FIG. 4, switch gear 34A.sub.1 in the
equipment load section 16A receives, via line 36A, electricity
conditioned by transformer 112A. Electricity from switch gear
34A.sub.1 flows to switch gear 34A.sub.2 and in parallel to switch
gear 34A.sub.3. Electricity from switch gear 34A.sub.2 feeds
equipment loads 38A.sub.1-5, and electricity from switch gear
34A.sub.3 feeds equipment loads 38A.sub.6-10, where equipment loads
38A.sub.1-10, can be the same or similar equipment illustrated in
FIG. 3 used for pressurizing hydraulic fluid and that are
electrically powered. Optional transformers 114A.sub.1-10 are shown
that step down voltages of electricity being delivered respectively
to equipment loads 38A.sub.1-10. For the sake of brevity not all
combinations of the fracturing system 10 are illustrated in the
accompanying figures, but many more combinations do exist and are
considered within the scope of the present disclosure. In alternate
examples, the number of turbine generators 18 can range from one to
six or more and any number between, the number of EERs 20 can range
from one to six or more, and any number between, the transmission
line sets 31 can range from one to six or more, and any number
between. Further optionally, the number of switch gear in the power
generation section 12 and in the equipment load section 16 can
range from zero to four or more, and any number between. Also, when
more than one switch gear is disposed in a one of the sections 12,
16, different tie in arrangements are possible. For example, each
switch gear can directly connect to equipment in the particular
section 12, 16 and be in parallel, or can connect to one another in
series. Additionally, examples exist where cutouts 26, 32 are
provided at opposing ends of a transmission section 14.
[0026] Provided in schematic form in FIG. 5 is an example of a
hydraulic fracturing system 10B having multiple equipment load
sections 16B.sub.1n. In this example, power generation section 12B
is distal from each of the equipment load sections 16B.sub.1-n by
at least a long distance. As illustrated, transmission section 14B
provides electrical communication between power generation section
12B and equipment load section 16B.sub.1. However, the transmission
section 14B is readily moveable, so that power from power
generation section 12B via transmission section 14B can be readily
switched from equipment load section 16B.sub.1 to another one of
the equipment load sections 16B.sub.2-n. The switching process can
be repeated until all equipment load sections 16B.sub.1-n are in
electrical communication with and powered by power generation
section 12B. An example of switching communication to another one
of the equipment load sections 16B.sub.1-n can be when fracturing
operations are completed or ceased at a one of the equipment load
sections 16B.sub.1-n. Although all sections of all embodiments of
the hydraulic fracturing system 10 are readily mobile, in some
applications an advantage exists by reconfiguring/moving the
transmission section 14B rather than the power generation system
12B when providing electrical power to the equipment load sections
16B.sub.1-n that are disposed at different locations.
[0027] The present invention described herein, therefore, is well
adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages
mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for purposes
of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures
for accomplishing the desired results. These and other similar
modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in
the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the spirit of
the present invention disclosed herein and the scope of the
appended claims.
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