EP2660420A1 - Improved equipment adapted for dissolution of polymer in fracturing operations - Google Patents

Improved equipment adapted for dissolution of polymer in fracturing operations Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2660420A1
EP2660420A1 EP13159641.3A EP13159641A EP2660420A1 EP 2660420 A1 EP2660420 A1 EP 2660420A1 EP 13159641 A EP13159641 A EP 13159641A EP 2660420 A1 EP2660420 A1 EP 2660420A1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
polymer
equipment
silo
powder
equipment according
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Granted
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EP13159641.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2660420B1 (en
Inventor
Peter Nichols
Marshall Bond
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SPCM SA
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SPCM SA
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/50—Mixing liquids with solids
    • B01F23/53—Mixing liquids with solids using driven stirrers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
    • B01F27/27—Mixers with stator-rotor systems, e.g. with intermeshing teeth or cylinders or having orifices
    • B01F27/271—Mixers with stator-rotor systems, e.g. with intermeshing teeth or cylinders or having orifices with means for moving the materials to be mixed radially between the surfaces of the rotor and the stator
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/50—Movable or transportable mixing devices or plants
    • B01F33/502—Vehicle-mounted mixing devices
    • B01F33/5023—Vehicle-mounted mixing devices the vehicle being a trailer which is hand moved or coupled to self-propelling vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/717—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer
    • B01F35/7173—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using gravity, e.g. from a hopper
    • B01F35/71731—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using gravity, e.g. from a hopper using a hopper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B02—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING; PREPARATORY TREATMENT OF GRAIN FOR MILLING
    • B02C—CRUSHING, PULVERISING, OR DISINTEGRATING IN GENERAL; MILLING GRAIN
    • B02C23/00—Auxiliary methods or auxiliary devices or accessories specially adapted for crushing or disintegrating not provided for in preceding groups or not specially adapted to apparatus covered by a single preceding group
    • B02C23/18—Adding fluid, other than for crushing or disintegrating by fluid energy
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/06—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
    • E21B21/062—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole by mixing components
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
    • E21B43/26—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures
    • E21B43/2607—Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations

Definitions

  • the field of the invention is the recovery of gas or oil and more particularly the hydraulic fracturing of gas or oil wells by injection of a fracturing fluid comprising a polymer.
  • WO 2010/020698 describes a material used to store, disperse, dissolve polymers in powder form, more particularly based on acrylamide.
  • the polymeric solution is then metered and used in hydraulic fracturing operations intended for the production of shale or petroleum gas. scattered.
  • This equipment has strong use constraints because the fracturing operations bring together many vehicles (trucks, trailers) sometimes more than 100, including electric generators, pump transports, mixers, dissolving and addition devices. adjuvants, control rooms and especially large quantities of sand or ceramic ball used to keep open fractures.
  • All equipment must be mobile on wheels, either trucks or trailers while taking into account the constraints of road weight depending on the geographical area concerned.
  • the weight without chassis should not exceed 20 to 24 tons and the length 12 to 14 meters. It must also be immediately available when moving without loss of time in the initial filling operations.
  • the problem to be solved by the invention is to dissolve more polymer in a reduced time, in a reduced space, while taking into account the weight constraints, all without manual operation of feeding during operation.
  • the applicant has developed an improved equipment to solve this problem and significantly improve the performance of existing facilities.
  • the equipment is positioned in a container or on a trailer and has a weight of less than 24 tonnes, preferably less than 22 tonnes, taking into account the quantities of polymer solutions contained in the tanks, and the quantity of powder contained in the silo allowing immediate commissioning.
  • the equipment will not exceed a length of 14 meters, preferably 12 meters.
  • the storage silo is horizontal, of parallelepipedal shape and provided with a dihedral bottom.
  • the storage silo has a volume advantageously greater than or equal to 5 m 3 , and preferably greater than or equal to 10 m 3 .
  • the pneumatic feed means of the silo is in the form of either a tank truck equipped with polymer discharge cones, or a truck with tilt frame.
  • the polymer drive means in the feed hopper of the dissolution device consists of a lower drain screw positioned at the bottom of the silo, said screw being connected either to a vertical feed screw of the hopper, or to pneumatic transport connecting the bottom of the silo to the feed hopper.
  • the dispersing and grinding device allows hydraulic grinding of the polymer. It has the great advantage of dispersing very large quantities of polymers by greatly reducing the size of the materials and accelerating the dissolution of the polymer by wet milling. This allows very large injections of polymer from limited volume materials.
  • the volumetric pumps positioned between the dissolving tanks and the injection pump will for example be chosen, without this being limiting among lobe pumps such as, for example, Waukesha type pumps, and particularly lobe pumps giving a flow rate. from 30m 3 / h to 3 bars, or among the pumps with eccentric rotor of Myono type, which can give the same flow.
  • the elements of the equipment according to the invention are arranged in a small space such as a container, or a truck trailer.
  • the selection of the various components depends in particular on the available volume, the maximum empty weight, the total amount of the polymer solution to be injected and its flow rate.
  • PSU Polymer Slicing Unit
  • PSU 300 Plus Polymer Slicing Unit
  • the diameter of the rotor-stator of the polymer dissolution device is preferably greater than 200 mm.
  • the PSU operates intermittently, depending on the level of the dissolution tanks at a standard rate of 300 kg / hour. It is, however, adapted to much larger instantaneous polymer demands.
  • the water is supplied, in the PSU, at the level of the primary circuit generally at 10m 3 / h and at the level of the secondary circuit from 0 to 20m 3 / h according to the concentration and the viscosity required.
  • the polymer concentration is preferably 20 g / liter.
  • the effect of the salts on the viscosity makes it possible to increase the concentration up to 30 gr / liter while maintaining the viscosity of the polymer solution below 10,000 cps for easy pumping.
  • the dissolving tanks have a limited volume considering the dimensions of the equipment.
  • the equipment may comprise two tanks of 4 to 5 m 3 . These tanks are generally strongly agitated in order to promote the dissolution of the polymer.
  • these two tanks can work in series, continuously, in parallel, or by transfer from one to the other (flip-flop). Volumetric pumps can work together or separately to feed the mixer used to feed the high-pressure fracturing pump
  • the dissolution time should generally be less than 30 minutes.
  • the commercially available acrylamide-based polymers generally have a particle size of 0 to 1000 microns, and a dissolution time of the order of one hour for the polymers of average anionicity (20 to 50 mol%) and of two hours for nonionic polymers. Therefore, the particle size of the powder should be adjusted according to the desired dissolution time.
  • the passage through the PSU makes it possible to decrease from 20 to 30% the dissolution time on the highest granulometries, and slightly less on the finer granulometries.
  • the electrical control equipment protection, instrumentation, security is arranged in an electrical room and is controlled by a programmable controller allowing full automation of the equipment with a control by the main control room of the fracturing assembly .
  • the invention also relates to a method of hydraulic fracturing of gas or oil wells by injecting a fluid comprising a polymer solution implementing the previously described installation.
  • the implementation of the equipment according to the invention in the process according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the fracturing injection pressure by limiting the friction of the fluid in the injection pipes.
  • the process according to the invention is characterized in that the polymers in powder form used have a particle size of 0 to 500 ⁇ m, preferably 0 to 400 ⁇ m, irrespective of the ionicity of the polymers. and preferentially from 0 to 300 ⁇ m for nonionic polymers.
  • the process according to the invention is characterized in that the total residence time of the polymer in the hydration tanks is between 20 and 30 minutes.
  • the storage silo (4) illustrated by the figure 2 is horizontal, of parallelepipedal shape and presents a bottom in the form of dihedron.
  • a drain screw (5) which feeds a lift screw (6) to feed by gravity PSU powder polymer.
  • the lift screw can be eventually replaced by a pneumatic transport.
  • This silo is pneumatically supplied by a tanker transporting the polymer with a cone discharge (16) or tilt frame (17). Feeding the silo powder polymer can be performed before or during operation, depending on the volumes required. But the device carries enough polymer in the form of powder (2 to 3 tons for example) for immediate commissioning.
  • the storage silo has a volume greater than or equal to 5 m 3 , preferably greater than or equal to 10 m 3 .
  • the figure 2 represents a trailer for feeding a major fracturing operation.
  • the equipment of this example makes it possible to insure on average 10 successive injections of a polymer solution for an amount greater than 12 tons of polymer, with a maximum polymer powder flow rate of 300 kg / hour.
  • the maximum weight outside the chassis being transferred is 22 tonnes maximum.
  • transfer means that at the end of a fracturing operation, the tanks being full and the silo can contain 2 to 3 tons of polymer, the trailer must move with full tanks, without draining possible.

Abstract

The equipment has a silo (4) for storing powder polymer (15). A polymer slicing unit (9) includes a cone for wetting the powder polymer, and is connected to a primary water inlet circuit. A ring communicates with a dispersed polymer grinding and drainage chamber to ensure spraying of pressurized water over an outer side of a fixed stator for enabling release of ground and swollen polymer at a stator surface. Two positive-displacement pumps enable injection and metering of the solution obtained in a mixer used for supplying a high-pressure fracturing pump. An independent claim is also included for a method for hydraulic fracturing of gas or oil wells by injection of a fluid.

Description

Le domaine de l'invention est la récupération de gaz ou de pétrole et plus particulièrement la fracturation hydraulique de puits de gaz ou de pétrole par injection d'un fluide de fracturation comprenant un polymère.The field of the invention is the recovery of gas or oil and more particularly the hydraulic fracturing of gas or oil wells by injection of a fracturing fluid comprising a polymer.

Le document WO 2010/020698 décrit un matériel utilisé pour stocker, disperser, dissoudre des polymères sous forme poudre, plus particulièrement à base d'acrylamide., La solution polymérique est ensuite dosée et utilisée dans des opérations de fracturation hydraulique destinées à la production de gaz de schiste ou de pétrole dispersé.The document WO 2010/020698 describes a material used to store, disperse, dissolve polymers in powder form, more particularly based on acrylamide., The polymeric solution is then metered and used in hydraulic fracturing operations intended for the production of shale or petroleum gas. scattered.

Ce matériel a des contraintes fortes d'utilisation car les opérations de fracturation rassemblent de nombreux véhicules (camions, remorques) parfois plus de 100, comprenant des générateurs électriques, des transports de pompes, des mélangeurs, des appareils de dissolution et d'addition d'adjuvants, des salles de contrôle et surtout d'importantes quantités de sables ou de bille céramique servant à maintenir les fractures ouvertes.This equipment has strong use constraints because the fracturing operations bring together many vehicles (trucks, trailers) sometimes more than 100, including electric generators, pump transports, mixers, dissolving and addition devices. adjuvants, control rooms and especially large quantities of sand or ceramic ball used to keep open fractures.

Le coût de telles opérations est très important et l'un des facteurs de succès est le temps total de fracturation et de transfert des équipements, ce qui assure la rentabilité de la campagne de fracturation. Il est donc indispensable que le matériel utilisé donne les meilleures performances sans risque d'interruption. A défaut, le puits à fracturer peut se boucher, ce qui peut être catastrophique.The cost of such operations is very important and one of the success factors is the total time of fracturing and transfer of equipment, which ensures the profitability of the fracking campaign. It is therefore essential that the equipment used gives the best performance without risk of interruption. Otherwise, the well to fracture can become clogged, which can be catastrophic.

Tout le matériel doit donc être mobile sur roues, soit en camions, soit sur remorques tout en prenant en considération les contraintes de poids sur route dépendant de la zone géographique concernée. Habituellement, le poids sans châssis ne doit pas dépasser 20 à 24 tonnes et la longueur 12 à 14 mètres. Il faut de plus qu'il soit immédiatement disponible dès son déplacement sans perte de temps dans les opérations de remplissage initiales.All equipment must be mobile on wheels, either trucks or trailers while taking into account the constraints of road weight depending on the geographical area concerned. Usually, the weight without chassis should not exceed 20 to 24 tons and the length 12 to 14 meters. It must also be immediately available when moving without loss of time in the initial filling operations.

Les polymères à base d'acrylamide injectés sont des polymères, préférentiellement de haut poids moléculaire, supérieur à 10 millions, habituellement supérieur à 15 millions. Leur composition dépend de la salinité de l'eau et surtout de la quantité de métaux divalents (Ca++, Mg++).

  • Pour des eaux douces, on utilise habituellement des copolymères acrylamide / acide acrylique (60-40 mol% à 90-10 mol%).
  • Pour des eaux plus salines, on utilise des copolymères faiblement anioniques ou non ioniques de 0 à 10 mol % d'acide acrylique ou à faible taux de monomère sulfoné (ATBS acrylamido tertiobutyl sulfonate) ;
  • Pour des eaux très salines, on peut utiliser des copolymères acrylamide /chlorure d'acrylate de trimethylaminoéthyle (90-10 mol%) par exemple.
  • Dans des cas extrêmes, on peut utiliser des polymères de DADMAC (Diallyldiméthylammonium chlorure), de NVP (N-Vinyl-Pyrrolidone) ...
The injected acrylamide-based polymers are polymers, preferably of high molecular weight, greater than 10 million, usually greater than 15 million. Their composition depends on the salinity of the water and especially the amount of divalent metals (Ca ++ , Mg ++ ).
  • For fresh waters, acrylamide / acrylic acid copolymers (60-40 mol% to 90-10 mol%) are usually used.
  • For more saline waters, weakly anionic or nonionic copolymers of 0 to 10 mol% of acrylic acid or of low level of sulfonated monomer (ATBS acrylamido tert-butyl sulfonate) are used;
  • For very saline waters, it is possible to use acrylamide / trimethylaminoethyl acrylate chloride copolymers (90-10 mol%) for example.
  • In extreme cases, polymers of DADMAC (Diallyldimethylammonium chloride), NVP (N-Vinyl-Pyrrolidone), etc. can be used.

Bien que l'équipement décrit dans le document WO 2010/020698 soit performant, il est cependant limité en termes de quantité de polymère traité et présente les contraintes suivantes :

  • L'alimentation en polymère se fait par sacs de 25 kg, au mieux avec des big-bags de 750 kg à une vitesse incompatible avec les opérations de récupération de grande envergure,
  • Impossibilité d'être alimenté en vrac en cours d'opération,
  • Difficulté de doser et disperser le polymère à forte concentration de manière à limiter les volumes de dispersion et/ou solution de polymère dans l'équipement,
  • Difficulté à éviter la formation d'agglomérats (appelé fish-eyes), qui ne peuvent se dissoudre qu'en un temps très long et qui, de plus, peuvent boucher les pompes,
  • Difficulté de dissoudre la suspension dans un temps court, car les volumes disponibles sur un camion sont limités,
  • Difficulté de pomper de manière contrôlée la solution de polymère dans le mélangeur, qui se trouve avant la pompe très haute pression d'injection et qui homogénéise l'ensemble des ingrédients.
Although the equipment described in the document WO 2010/020698 it is efficient, however it is limited in terms of the amount of polymer treated and has the following constraints:
  • The polymer feed is in 25 kg bags, at best with 750 kg big-bags at a speed incompatible with large-scale recovery operations,
  • Impossibility of being supplied in bulk during the operation,
  • Difficulty of dosing and dispersing the polymer at a high concentration so as to limit the volumes of dispersion and / or polymer solution in the equipment,
  • Difficult to avoid the formation of agglomerates (called fish-eyes), which can dissolve only in a very long time and which, moreover, can block the pumps,
  • Difficult to dissolve the suspension in a short time, because the volumes available on a truck are limited,
  • Difficult to pump in a controlled manner the polymer solution in the mixer, which is before the pump very high injection pressure and that homogenizes all the ingredients.

Certains utilisent des containers métalliques difficiles à manipuler sur des terrains souvent bourbeux.Some use metal containers that are difficult to handle on often muddy terrain.

L'évolution actuelle, avec l'augmentation des longueurs de forages horizontaux, est d'aller vers des opérations de fracturations plus importantes. Il y a quelques mois, les opérations nécessitaient de 4 à 8 tonnes de polymère par opération et l'équipement décrit dans le document WO2010/020698 est adapté à ce genre d'opération.The current evolution, with the increase in the horizontal drilling lengths, is to go towards more important fracturing operations. A few months ago, operations required 4 to 8 tons of polymer per operation and the equipment described in the document WO2010 / 020698 is suitable for this kind of operation.

Aujourd'hui, les quantités injectées vont de 9 à 15 tonnes et probablement dans l'avenir vers 20 tonnes par opération et l'équipement décrit dans le document WO2010/020698 n'est plus adapté.Today, the quantities injected go from 9 to 15 tons and probably in the future to 20 tons per operation and the equipment described in the document WO2010 / 020698 is no longer suitable.

Il est donc nécessaire de développer un équipement perfectionné qui s'adapte à cette évolution sans risque d'interruption au cours d'opération.It is therefore necessary to develop sophisticated equipment that adapts to this evolution without risk of interruption during operation.

Le problème que se propose de résoudre l'invention est de dissoudre plus de polymère en un temps réduit, dans un espace réduit, tout en prenant en considération les contraintes de poids, le tout sans opération manuelle d'alimentation en cours d'opération.The problem to be solved by the invention is to dissolve more polymer in a reduced time, in a reduced space, while taking into account the weight constraints, all without manual operation of feeding during operation.

Une des contraintes réside en ce qu'il n'existe pas, sur le lieu des opérations, de dispositif permettant de vidanger les solutions de polymères des cuves de dissolution. Par conséquent, l'équipement doit être déplacé avec les cuves pleines, la quantité de poudre pouvant cependant être modulée en fin d'opération. Ceci a aussi l'avantage de permettre une mise en service immédiate du matériel après déplacement.One of the constraints lies in the fact that there is no device at the place of operation for draining the polymer solutions from the dissolution tanks. Therefore, the equipment must be moved with the tanks full, the amount of powder can however be modulated at the end of operation. This also has the advantage of allowing an immediate commissioning of the equipment after displacement.

La demanderesse a développé un équipement perfectionné permettant de résoudre cette problématique et d'améliorer significativement les performances des installations existantes.The applicant has developed an improved equipment to solve this problem and significantly improve the performance of existing facilities.

L'invention concerne un équipement perfectionné compact et transportable utilisable pour des opérations de fracturation sur des champs de gaz ou de pétrole, ledit équipement étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend successivement :

  • un moyen d'alimentation pneumatique d'un silo en polymère poudre,
  • un silo de stockage de polymère sous forme poudre,
  • un moyen d'entrainement du polymère depuis le silo, dans une trémie d'alimentation,
  • une trémie d'alimentation d'un dispositif de dosage en polymère , ladite trémie étant dotée d'un niveau haut et d'un niveau bas,
  • un dispositif de dosage du polymère poudre,
  • un dispositif de dispersion et de broyage du polymère, aussi désigné PSU (« Polymer Slicing Unit ») comprenant :
    • un cône de mouillage du polymère poudre connecté à un circuit d'arrivée d'eau primaire,
    • à l'extrémité inférieure du cône :
    • une chambre de broyage et de drainage du polymère dispersé comprenant:
      • un rotor entraîné par un moteur et muni de couteaux,
      • un stator fixe constitué d'un cylindre muni de fentes fines,
    • sur toute ou partie de la périphérie de la chambre, une couronne alimentée par un circuit d'eau secondaire, la couronne communiquant avec la chambre de telle sorte à assurer la pulvérisation d'eau sous pression sur l'extérieur du stator permettant ainsi le dégagement du polymère broyé et gonflé à la surface dudit stator,
  • au moins deux cuves d'hydratation et de dissolution du polymère dispersé provenant du dispositif de dispersion et de broyage,
  • au moins deux pompes volumétriques permettant l'injection et le dosage de la solution de polymère obtenue, dans le mélangeur servant à l'alimentation de la pompe haute pression de fracturation.
The invention relates to an improved compact and transportable equipment that can be used for fracturing operations on gas or oil fields, said equipment being characterized in that it comprises successively:
  • pneumatic feed means of a powder polymer silo,
  • a polymer storage silo in powder form,
  • a drive means for the polymer from the silo, in a feed hopper,
  • a feed hopper of a polymer metering device, said hopper being provided with a high level and a low level,
  • a device for dosing the powder polymer,
  • a device for dispersing and grinding the polymer, also called PSU ("Polymer Slicing Unit") comprising:
    • a wetting cone of the powder polymer connected to a primary water supply circuit,
    • at the lower end of the cone:
    • a grinding and drainage chamber of the dispersed polymer comprising:
      • a rotor driven by a motor and equipped with knives,
      • a fixed stator consisting of a cylinder provided with thin slots,
    • on all or part of the periphery of the chamber, a crown fed by a secondary water circuit, the ring communicating with the chamber so as to ensure the spraying of pressurized water on the outside of the stator thus allowing clearance crushed and swollen polymer on the surface of said stator,
  • at least two tanks for hydration and dissolution of the dispersed polymer from the dispersing and grinding device,
  • at least two volumetric pumps for injecting and dosing the resulting polymer solution into the mixer for feeding the high-pressure fracturing pump.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, l'équipement est positionné dans un container ou sur une remorque et a un poids inférieur à 24 tonnes, préférentiellement inférieur à 22 tonnes, en tenant compte des quantités de solutions de polymères contenues dans les cuves, et de la quantité de poudre contenue dans le silo permettant une mise en service immédiate. De plus, l'équipement ne dépassera pas une longueur de 14 mètres, préférentiellement de 12 mètres.In a preferred embodiment, the equipment is positioned in a container or on a trailer and has a weight of less than 24 tonnes, preferably less than 22 tonnes, taking into account the quantities of polymer solutions contained in the tanks, and the quantity of powder contained in the silo allowing immediate commissioning. In addition, the equipment will not exceed a length of 14 meters, preferably 12 meters.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le silo de stockage est horizontal, de forme parallépipédique et muni d'un fond en forme de dièdre.In a preferred embodiment, the storage silo is horizontal, of parallelepipedal shape and provided with a dihedral bottom.

Le silo de stockage présente un volume avantageusement supérieur ou égale à 5 m3, et préférentiellement supérieur ou égale à 10 m3.The storage silo has a volume advantageously greater than or equal to 5 m 3 , and preferably greater than or equal to 10 m 3 .

Le moyen pneumatique d'alimentation du silo se présente sous la forme soit d'un camion-citerne muni de cônes de vidange du polymère, soit d'un camion à châssis basculant.The pneumatic feed means of the silo is in the form of either a tank truck equipped with polymer discharge cones, or a truck with tilt frame.

Le moyen d'entrainement du polymère dans la trémie d'alimentation du dispositif de dissolution est constitué d'une vis inférieure de vidange positionnée au fond du silo, ladite vis étant connectée soit à une vis verticale d'alimentation de la trémie, soit à un transport pneumatique reliant le bas du silo à la trémie d'alimentation.The polymer drive means in the feed hopper of the dissolution device consists of a lower drain screw positioned at the bottom of the silo, said screw being connected either to a vertical feed screw of the hopper, or to pneumatic transport connecting the bottom of the silo to the feed hopper.

Le dispositif de dispersion et de broyage permet un broyage hydraulique du polymère. Il a le grand avantage de disperser de très grandes quantités de polymères en diminuant fortement la taille des matériels et d'accélérer la dissolution du polymère par broyage humide. Cela permet des injections très importantes de polymère à partir de matériels de volume limité.The dispersing and grinding device allows hydraulic grinding of the polymer. It has the great advantage of dispersing very large quantities of polymers by greatly reducing the size of the materials and accelerating the dissolution of the polymer by wet milling. This allows very large injections of polymer from limited volume materials.

Les pompes volumétriques positionnées entre les cuves de dissolution et la pompe d'injection seront par exemple choisies, sans que cela ne soit limitatif parmi les pompes à lobe comme par exemple les pompes de type Waukesha, et particulièrement les pompes à lobe 6 donnant un débit de 30m3/h à 3 bars, ou encore parmi les pompes à rotor excentré de type Myono, pouvant donner le même débit.The volumetric pumps positioned between the dissolving tanks and the injection pump will for example be chosen, without this being limiting among lobe pumps such as, for example, Waukesha type pumps, and particularly lobe pumps giving a flow rate. from 30m 3 / h to 3 bars, or among the pumps with eccentric rotor of Myono type, which can give the same flow.

Les éléments de l'équipement selon l'invention sont agencés dans un espace réduit comme un container, ou une remorque de camion.The elements of the equipment according to the invention are arranged in a small space such as a container, or a truck trailer.

La sélection des diverses composantes dépend notamment du volume disponible, du poids maximum à vide, de la quantité totale de la solution de polymère à injecter et de son débit.The selection of the various components depends in particular on the available volume, the maximum empty weight, the total amount of the polymer solution to be injected and its flow rate.

Un dispositif de dispersion et de broyage similaire à celui utilisé dans l'invention a été décrit par le demandeur dans le document WO 2008/107492 , pour des applications en Récupération Assistée du Pétrole (RAP). Ce dispositif de dissolution appelé PSU (Polymer Slicing Unit) est avantageusement celui commercialisé sous la dénomination PSU 300 Plus, qui permet de doser 100 à 600 kg de polymère par heure. Ces quantités sont conformes à celles nécessaires dans les opérations actuelles de fracturation. Le diamètre du rotor-stator du dispositif de dissolution du polymère est de préférence supérieur à 200 mm. Dans la majorité des cas, le PSU fonctionne par intermittence, suivant le niveau des cuves de dissolution à un débit standard de 300 kg/heure. Il est cependant adapté à des demandes instantanées de polymère beaucoup plus importantes. L'eau est alimentée, dans le PSU, au niveau du circuit primaire généralement à 10m3/h et au niveau du circuit secondaire de 0 à 20m3/h suivant la concentration et la viscosité requises. La concentration en polymère est de préférence de 20gr/litre. En revanche, lorsque des saumures concentrées sont utilisées, l'effet des sels sur la viscosité permet d'augmenter la concentration à hauteur de 30gr/litre tout en maintenant la viscosité de la solution de polymère inférieure à 10 000 cps permettant un pompage facile.A dispersing and grinding device similar to that used in the invention has been described by the applicant in the document WO 2008/107492 , for applications in Assisted Petroleum Recovery (RAP). This dissolution device called PSU (Polymer Slicing Unit) is advantageously that marketed under the name PSU 300 Plus, which allows to dose 100 to 600 kg of polymer per hour. These quantities are consistent with those required in current fracking operations. The diameter of the rotor-stator of the polymer dissolution device is preferably greater than 200 mm. In the majority of cases, the PSU operates intermittently, depending on the level of the dissolution tanks at a standard rate of 300 kg / hour. It is, however, adapted to much larger instantaneous polymer demands. The water is supplied, in the PSU, at the level of the primary circuit generally at 10m 3 / h and at the level of the secondary circuit from 0 to 20m 3 / h according to the concentration and the viscosity required. The polymer concentration is preferably 20 g / liter. On the other hand, when concentrated brines are used, the effect of the salts on the viscosity makes it possible to increase the concentration up to 30 gr / liter while maintaining the viscosity of the polymer solution below 10,000 cps for easy pumping.

Les cuves de dissolution ont un volume limité eu égard aux dimensions de l'équipement. De manière générale, l'équipement peut comprendre deux cuves de 4 à 5 m3. Ces cuves sont généralement fortement agitées afin de favoriser la dissolution du polymère. En outre, ces deux cuves peuvent travailler en série, en continu, en parallèle, ou par transfert de l'une à l'autre (flip-flop). Les pompes volumétriques peuvent fonctionner ensemble ou séparément pour alimenter le mélangeur servant à alimenter la pompe haute pression de fracturationThe dissolving tanks have a limited volume considering the dimensions of the equipment. In general, the equipment may comprise two tanks of 4 to 5 m 3 . These tanks are generally strongly agitated in order to promote the dissolution of the polymer. In addition, these two tanks can work in series, continuously, in parallel, or by transfer from one to the other (flip-flop). Volumetric pumps can work together or separately to feed the mixer used to feed the high-pressure fracturing pump

Différents types de polymères synthétiques ou naturels pourront être dissous grâce à l'équipement selon l'invention. On citera de manière non limitative les polymères à base d'acrylamide couramment utilisés dans les procédés de fracturation.Different types of synthetic or natural polymers may be dissolved using the equipment according to the invention. Non-limiting mention may be made of acrylamide-based polymers commonly used in fracturing processes.

Comme les opérations de fracturation impliquent des débits d'eau de l'ordre de 20 à 30 m3/heure, le temps de dissolution doit généralement être inférieur à 30 minutes.Since fracturing operations involve water flows of the order of 20 to 30 m 3 / hour, the dissolution time should generally be less than 30 minutes.

Une solution consiste à adapter la vitesse de dissolution au temps imparti. Les polymères à base d'acrylamide disponibles commercialement ont généralement une granulométrie de 0 à 1000 microns, et un temps de dissolution de l'ordre d'une heure pour les polymères d'anionicité moyenne (20 à 50 mol%) et de deux heures pour les polymères non ioniques. Par conséquent, la granulométrie de la poudre doit être ajustée en fonction du temps de dissolution désiré. D'une manière empirique, on a déterminé les temps de dissolution suivants : Polymère anionique Polymère non ionique 0-1000 microns 60 min 0-1000 microns 120 min 0-800 microns 40 min 0-800 microns 70 min 0-600 microns 20 min 0-600 microns 40 min 0-400 microns 10 min 0-400 microns 20 min 0-300 microns 10 min One solution is to adapt the dissolution rate to the time allowed. The commercially available acrylamide-based polymers generally have a particle size of 0 to 1000 microns, and a dissolution time of the order of one hour for the polymers of average anionicity (20 to 50 mol%) and of two hours for nonionic polymers. Therefore, the particle size of the powder should be adjusted according to the desired dissolution time. In an empirical way, the following dissolution times have been determined: Anionic polymer Nonionic polymer 0-1000 microns 60 min 0-1000 microns 120 min 0-800 microns 40 min 0-800 microns 70 min 0-600 microns 20 min 0-600 microns 40 min 0-400 microns 10 minutes 0-400 microns 20 min 0-300 microns 10 minutes

Le passage à travers le PSU permet de diminuer de 20 à 30 % le temps de dissolution sur les granulométries les plus élevées, et légèrement moins sur les granulométries plus fines.The passage through the PSU makes it possible to decrease from 20 to 30% the dissolution time on the highest granulometries, and slightly less on the finer granulometries.

Il est possible industriellement de broyer ces polymères à ces granulométries avec un coût supplémentaire. Cependant, le taux de fines (<50 µmètres) qui saturent les filtres et ont une hygroscopie élevée, doit être limité.It is possible industrially to grind these polymers at these granulometries with additional cost. However, the rate of fines (<50 μm) that saturate the filters and have a high hygroscopicity, must be limited.

Toujours selon l'invention, le matériel électrique de commande protection, instrumentation, sécurité est agencé dans une salle électrique et est commandé par un automate programmable permettant une automatisation totale du matériel avec une commande par la salle de contrôle principale de l'ensemble de fracturation.Still according to the invention, the electrical control equipment protection, instrumentation, security is arranged in an electrical room and is controlled by a programmable controller allowing full automation of the equipment with a control by the main control room of the fracturing assembly .

L'invention a également pour objet un procédé de fracturation hydraulique de puits de gaz ou de pétrole par injection d'un fluide comprenant une solution de polymère mettant en oeuvre l'installation précédemment décrite.The invention also relates to a method of hydraulic fracturing of gas or oil wells by injecting a fluid comprising a polymer solution implementing the previously described installation.

La mise en oeuvre de l'équipement selon l'invention dans le procédé selon l'invention permet de réduire la pression d'injection de fracturation en limitant la friction du fluide dans les tuyaux d'injection.The implementation of the equipment according to the invention in the process according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the fracturing injection pressure by limiting the friction of the fluid in the injection pipes.

Dans un mode de réalisation avantageux, le procédé selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce que les polymères sous forme de poudre utilisés ont une granulométrie de 0 à 500 µmètres, de préférence de 0 à 400 µmètres quelle que soit l'ionicité des polymères, et préférentiellement de 0 à 300 µmètres pour les polymères non ioniques.In an advantageous embodiment, the process according to the invention is characterized in that the polymers in powder form used have a particle size of 0 to 500 μm, preferably 0 to 400 μm, irrespective of the ionicity of the polymers. and preferentially from 0 to 300 μm for nonionic polymers.

Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, le procédé selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce que le temps de résidence total du polymère dans les cuves d'hydratation est compris entre 20 et 30 minutes.According to an advantageous embodiment, the process according to the invention is characterized in that the total residence time of the polymer in the hydration tanks is between 20 and 30 minutes.

L'invention et les avantages qui en découlent ressortiront mieux de l'exemple de réalisation suivant à l'appui des figures annexées.

  • La figure 1 est une vue schématique latérale des flux dans l'équipement selon un mode de réalisation avantageux de l'invention.
  • La figure 2 est une autre vue schématique latérale de l'équipement selon un mode de réalisation avantageux de l'invention.
The invention and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the following embodiment with the aid of the appended figures.
  • The figure 1 is a schematic side view of the flows in the equipment according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.
  • The figure 2 is another schematic side view of the equipment according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

Comme déjà dit, l'espace disponible pour l'équipement objet de l'invention est généralement restreint, il est donc impossible d'installer un silo cylindro-conique. Le silo de stockage (4) illustré par le figure 2 est horizontal, de forme parallépipédique et présente un fond sous forme de dièdre. Dans ce dièdre se trouve une vis de vidange (5) qui alimente une vis de remontée (6) permettant d'alimenter par gravité le PSU en polymère poudre. La vis de remontée peut être éventuellement remplacée par un transport pneumatique.As already stated, the space available for the equipment object of the invention is generally limited, it is therefore impossible to install a cylindro-conical silo. The storage silo (4) illustrated by the figure 2 is horizontal, of parallelepipedal shape and presents a bottom in the form of dihedron. In this dihedron is a drain screw (5) which feeds a lift screw (6) to feed by gravity PSU powder polymer. The lift screw can be eventually replaced by a pneumatic transport.

Ce silo est alimenté pneumatiquement par un camion-citerne transportant le polymère avec une vidange par cônes (16) ou à châssis basculant (17). L'alimentation du silo en polymère poudre peut être réalisée avant ou en cours d'opération, selon les volumes nécessaires. Mais l'appareil transporte suffisamment de polymère sous forme de poudre ( 2 à 3 tonnes par exemple) pour une mise en service immédiate.This silo is pneumatically supplied by a tanker transporting the polymer with a cone discharge (16) or tilt frame (17). Feeding the silo powder polymer can be performed before or during operation, depending on the volumes required. But the device carries enough polymer in the form of powder (2 to 3 tons for example) for immediate commissioning.

Le silo de stockage a un volume supérieur ou égale à 5 m3, préférentiellement supérieur ou égale à 10 m3.The storage silo has a volume greater than or equal to 5 m 3 , preferably greater than or equal to 10 m 3 .

La figure 2 représente une remorque permettant l'alimentation d'une opération importante de fracturation.The figure 2 represents a trailer for feeding a major fracturing operation.

L'équipement de cet exemple permet d'assurer en moyenne 10 injections successives d'une solution de polymère pour une quantité supérieure à 12 tonnes de polymère, avec un débit de poudre de polymère maximum de 300kg/heure.The equipment of this example makes it possible to insure on average 10 successive injections of a polymer solution for an amount greater than 12 tons of polymer, with a maximum polymer powder flow rate of 300 kg / hour.

La limitation de la taille du matériel pour les conditions d'opération aux Etats-Unis d'Amérique est de l=2.4m, H=3m hors châssis, L=13.4.The limitation of the size of the equipment for the operating conditions in the United States of America is l = 2.4m, H = 3m outside the chassis, L = 13.4.

Le poids maximum hors châssis en cours de transfert est de 22 tonnes maximum. En cours de transfert veut dire qu'à la fin d'une opération de fracturation, les cuves étant pleines et le silo pouvant contenir 2 à 3 tonnes de polymère, la remorque doit se déplacer avec des cuves pleines, sans vidange possible.The maximum weight outside the chassis being transferred is 22 tonnes maximum. During transfer means that at the end of a fracturing operation, the tanks being full and the silo can contain 2 to 3 tons of polymer, the trailer must move with full tanks, without draining possible.

Cet ensemble est composé (Fig. 2) de :

  • Un générateur électrique (1) permettant une alimentation autonome du matériel embarqué, de 150 KW avec un réservoir de combustible permettant une opération complète,
  • Une pompe à eau (2) permettant de se soustraire aux très importantes variations de pression des lignes d'alimentation en cours d'opérations. Le débit est de 30m3/h à une pression de 3 bars et un NPSH de 3 mètres.
  • Un filtre duplex (3) avec des poches de 200 microns pour éliminer les matières en suspensions dans l'eau qui pourraient boucher ou éroder le PSU.
  • Un silo horizontal de 10m3 (4) parallélépipédique avec un fond en dièdre où se trouve une vis de 200 mm (5) permettant de convoyer la poudre vers le tube de sortie. Cette vis est protégée par un limiteur de couple.
  • Une vis verticale (6) de 120 mm de diamètre permettant de faire monter la poudre à un débit de 600 kg/heure au-dessus de la trémie du PSU. Cette vis verticale pourra être remplacée par un transport pneumatique.
  • Une trémie conique (7) (alimentation du PSU) et des détecteurs de niveau haut et bas permettant de mettre en route ou arrêter les deux vis ci-dessus. Au bas de cette trémie se trouve une vis doseuse (8) permettant de doser 100 à 500 kg de poudre à l'heure par variation de vitesse. Le plus souvent le débit sera fixe et de 300 kg/h.
  • Un PSU (9) amélioré par augmentation du diamètre rotor-stator à 210 mm. Ce PSU est alimenté en partie supérieure à 10m3/h de polymère poudre et en partie inférieure à 0 à 20m3/h d'eau. Les débits d'eau et de poudre pourront être ajustés en fonction des conditions recherchées.
    L'eau et la poudre sont mélangées dans un cône de mouillage (10) qui peut être teflonné pour éviter le collage de la poudre sur le cône en cas de mauvais nivellement sur les terrains bruts utilisés. En effet les opérations de fracturation se font souvent sur des terrains agricoles sommairement nivelés.
  • La suspension ainsi obtenue est envoyée dans deux cuves en série de 4.5m3 (11) fortement agitées. La deuxième cuve étant équipée d'une mesure de niveau haut et bas permettant de mettre en route ou d'arrêter le PSU.
  • A la sortie de ces cuves, la solution est dosée par deux pompes volumétriques à vitesse variable en parallèle.
    Ces deux pompes peuvent avantageusement être des pompes Waukesha à lobe (12) modèle 60, débit 30m3/h. Le débit peut être modifié à partir de la salle de contrôle principale en fonction des pressions d'injection constatées. Deux pompes sont installées comme sécurité mais peuvent être utilisées ensemble en cas de demande instantanée très forte (incident). Dans ce cas, les cuves de stockage servent de tampon.
  • Des utilités sont de plus installées dans cet équipement avec un compresseur d'air (13) de 1Kw utilisé pour le décolmatage pneumatique du filtre à poussière et pour l'ouverture et la fermeture de vannes pneumatiques de manière automatique.
  • Tout le matériel électrique de commande, protection, instrumentation, sécurité se trouve dans une salle électrique (14) et est commandé par un automate programmable permettant une automatisation totale du matériel avec une commande par la salle de contrôle principale de l'ensemble de fracturation.
  • Un camion citerne vrac basculant (17) permet d'alimenter le silo en polymère poudre (15) en début d'opération ou en cours de celle-ci par transport pneumatique sous pression.
  • La granulométrie de la poudre est adaptée au temps de dissolution habituel de 20 à 30 minutes. Pour des polymères anioniques à 30 % d'anionicité, la granulométrie choisie sera de 0 à 500 microns.
This set is composed ( Fig. 2 ) of:
  • An electric generator (1) allowing an independent power supply of the on-board equipment, of 150 KW with a fuel tank allowing a complete operation,
  • A water pump (2) for evading the very large pressure variations of the supply lines during operations. The flow rate is 30m 3 / h at a pressure of 3 bars and a NPSH of 3 meters.
  • A duplex filter (3) with 200 micron pockets to remove suspended matter in the water that could clog or erode the PSU.
  • A horizontal silo of 10m 3 (4) parallelepiped with a dihedral bottom where is a 200 mm screw (5) for conveying the powder to the outlet tube. This screw is protected by a torque limiter.
  • A vertical screw (6) 120 mm in diameter to raise the powder at a rate of 600 kg / hour above the PSU hopper. This vertical screw can be replaced by a pneumatic transport.
  • A conical hopper (7) (PSU supply) and high and low level detectors to turn on or off the two screws above. At the bottom of this hopper is a metering screw (8) for dosing 100 to 500 kg of powder per hour by speed variation. Most often the flow will be fixed and 300 kg / h.
  • A PSU (9) improved by increasing the rotor-stator diameter to 210 mm. This PSU is fed in the upper part to 10m 3 / h of polymer powder and in part below 0 to 20m 3 / h of water. The flow rates of water and powder can be adjusted according to the desired conditions.
    The water and the powder are mixed in a mooring cone (10) which can be teflonned to prevent sticking of the powder on the cone in case of bad leveling on the rough grounds used. In fact, fracturing operations are often carried out on summarily level farmland.
  • The suspension thus obtained is sent to two 4.5m 3 (11) series tanks which are strongly agitated. The second tank is equipped with a high and low level measurement to start or stop the PSU.
  • At the outlet of these tanks, the solution is dosed by two volumetric pumps with variable speed in parallel.
    These two pumps may advantageously be Waukesha lobe pumps (12) model 60, flow 30m 3 / h. The flow can be changed from the main control room according to the injection pressures found. Two pumps are installed as security but can be used together in case of very strong instantaneous demand (incident). In this case, the storage tanks serve as a buffer.
  • Utilities are additionally installed in this equipment with an air compressor (13) of 1Kw used for pneumatic cleaning of the dust filter and for the opening and closing of pneumatic valves automatically.
  • All the electrical equipment for control, protection, instrumentation, security is located in an electrical room (14) and is controlled by a programmable controller allowing total automation of the equipment with a control by the main control room of the fracturing assembly.
  • A tilting bulk tanker truck (17) feeds the powder polymer silo (15) at the beginning of operation or during it by pneumatic conveying under pressure.
  • The particle size of the powder is adapted to the usual dissolution time of 20 to 30 minutes. For anionic polymers with 30% anionicity, the particle size chosen will be from 0 to 500 microns.

Lors de ces opérations, cet équipement a permis de parvenir à des niveaux de performance jamais atteints jusque-là. Les résultats obtenus sont excellents car l'équipement permet désormais de dissoudre une grande quantité de polymère (supérieure à 12 t) à un débit élevé tout en étant conformes aux contraintes de place et de poids.During these operations, this equipment has achieved performance levels never achieved before. The results obtained are excellent because the equipment now makes it possible to dissolve a large quantity of polymer (greater than 12 t) at a high flow rate while being consistent with the constraints of space and weight.

Industriellement, on constate que les utilisateurs de polymère poudre pour la fracturation sont moins nombreux que ceux utilisant traditionnellement les émulsions. Néanmoins, le coût de la poudre étant inférieur à celui de l'émulsion, un avantage économique important est constaté même en tenant compte de l'amortissement du matériel.Industrially, it is found that users of polymer powder for fracturing are less numerous than those traditionally using emulsions. Nevertheless, the cost of the powder being lower than that of the emulsion, a significant economic advantage is found even taking into account the depreciation of the equipment.

L'homme de l'art pourra substituer des matériels similaires en fonction des nécessités tout en respectant les volumes, les poids et l'alimentation finale de l'opération de récupération de gaz ou de pétrole.Those skilled in the art may substitute similar equipment as needed while respecting volumes, weights and the final power of the gas or oil recovery operation.

Claims (13)

Equipement perfectionné compact et transportable utilisable pour des opérations de fracturation sur des champs de gaz ou de pétrole, ledit équipement étant caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend successivement : - un moyen d'alimentation pneumatique d'un silo en polymère poudre, - un silo de stockage de polymère sous forme poudre, - un moyen d'entrainement du polymère depuis le silo, dans une trémie d'alimentation, - une trémie d'alimentation d'un dispositif de dosage en polymère, ladite trémie étant dotée d'un niveau haut et d'un niveau bas, - un dispositif de dosage du polymère poudre, - un dispositif de dispersion et de broyage du polymère, aussi désigné PSU (« Polymer Slicing Unit ») comprenant : • un cône de mouillage du polymère poudre connecté à un circuit d'arrivée d'eau primaire, • à l'extrémité inférieure du cône : • une chambre de broyage et de drainage du polymère dispersé comprenant: - un rotor entraîné par un moteur et muni de couteaux, - un stator fixe constitué d'un cylindre muni de fentes fines, • sur toute ou partie de la périphérie de la chambre, une couronne alimentée par un circuit d'eau secondaire, la couronne communiquant avec la chambre de telle sorte à assurer la pulvérisation d'eau sous pression sur l'extérieur du stator permettant ainsi le dégagement du polymère broyé et gonflé à la surface dudit stator, - au moins deux cuves d'hydratation et de dissolution du polymère dispersé provenant du dispositif de dispersion et de broyage, - au moins deux pompes volumétriques permettant l'injection et le dosage de la solution de polymère obtenue dans le mélangeur servant à l'alimentation de la pompe haute pression de fracturation. Advanced compact and portable equipment usable for fracturing operations on gas or oil fields, said equipment being characterized in that it comprises successively: a pneumatic supply means for a powder polymer silo, a polymer storage silo in powder form, a means for driving the polymer from the silo into a feed hopper, a feed hopper for a polymer dosing device, said hopper being provided with a high level and a low level, a device for dosing the powder polymer, a device for dispersing and grinding the polymer, also referred to as PSU ("Polymer Slicing Unit"), comprising: A wetting cone of the powder polymer connected to a primary water supply circuit, • at the lower end of the cone: A grinding and drainage chamber of the dispersed polymer comprising: - a rotor driven by a motor and equipped with knives, a fixed stator consisting of a cylinder provided with thin slots, • over all or part of the periphery of the chamber, a ring fed by a secondary water circuit, the ring communicating with the chamber so as to ensure the spraying of water under pressure on the outside of the stator thus allowing the disengaging the crushed and swollen polymer on the surface of said stator, at least two tanks for hydration and dissolution of the dispersed polymer from the dispersion and grinding device, - At least two volumetric pumps for injecting and dosing the polymer solution obtained in the mixer for feeding the high-pressure fracturing pump. Equipement selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que l'équipement est positionné dans un container ou sur une remorque et a un poids inférieur à 24 tonnes, préférentiellement inférieur à 22 tonnes, en tenant compte des quantités de solutions de polymères contenues dans les cuves, et de la quantité de poudre contenue dans le silo.Equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that the equipment is positioned in a container or on a trailer and has a weight of less than 24 tonnes, preferably less than 22 tonnes, taking into account the quantities of polymer solutions contained in the tanks, and the amount of powder contained in the silo. Equipement selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que le silo de stockage est horizontal, de forme parallépipédique et muni d'un fond en forme de dièdre.Equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that the storage silo is horizontal, of parallelepipedal shape and provided with a bottom in the form of dihedron. Equipement selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que silo de stockage a un volume supérieur ou égale à 5 m3, préférentiellement supérieur ou égale à 10 m3.Equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that storage silo has a volume greater than or equal to 5 m 3 , preferably greater than or equal to 10 m 3 . Equipement selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que le moyen pneumatique d'alimentation du silo se présente sous la forme soit d'un camion-citerne muni de cônes de vidange du polymère, soit d'un camion à châssis basculant.Equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that the pneumatic feed means of the silo is in the form of either a tank truck equipped with polymer discharge cones, or a truck with tilt frame. Equipement selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que le moyen d'entrainement du polymère dans la trémie d'alimentation du dispositif de dissolution est constitué soit d'une vis inférieure de vidange positionnée au fond du silo, ladite vis étant connectée soit à une vis verticale d'alimentation de la trémie, soit à un transport pneumatique reliant le bas du silo à la trémie d'alimentation.Equipment according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means for driving the polymer in the feed hopper of the dissolution device consists either of a lower drain screw positioned at the bottom of the silo, said screw being connected to either a screw vertical feeding of the hopper, or a pneumatic transport connecting the bottom of the silo to the feed hopper. Equipement selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que les cuves de dissolution ont chacune un volume compris entre 4 et 5 m3.Equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that the dissolving tanks each have a volume between 4 and 5 m 3 . Equipement selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que les pompes volumétriques sont des pompes à lobe ou des pompes à rotor excentré donnant un débit de 30m3/h à 3 bars.Equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that the positive displacement pumps are lobe pumps or eccentric rotor pumps giving a flow rate of 30m 3 / h to 3 bars. Equipement selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que le matériel électrique de commande protection, instrumentation, sécurité est agencé dans une salle électrique et est commandé par un automate programmable permettant une automatisation totale du matériel avec une commande par la salle de contrôle principale de l'ensemble de fracturation.Equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that the electrical control equipment protection, instrumentation, security is arranged in an electrical room and is controlled by a programmable controller allowing full automation of the equipment with a command by the main control room of the fracturing set. Procédé de fracturation hydraulique de puits de gaz ou de pétrole par injection d'un fluide comprenant une solution de polymère mettant en oeuvre l'équipement objet de l'une des revendications 1 à 9.Process for hydraulic fracturing of gas or oil wells by injection of a fluid comprising a solution of polymer using the equipment object of one of claims 1 to 9. Procédé de fracturation hydraulique selon la revendication 10 caractérisé en ce que les polymères sous forme de poudre ont une granulométrie de 0 à 500 µmètres.Hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 10, characterized in that the polymers in the form of powder have a particle size of 0 to 500 μm. Procédé de fracturation hydraulique selon la revendication 10 caractérisé en ce que les polymères sous forme de poudre s ont une granulométrie de préférence de 0 à 400 µmètres quelle que soit l'ionicité des polymères, et préférentiellement de 0 à 300 µmètres pour les polymères non ioniques.Hydraulic fracturing process according to Claim 10, characterized in that the polymers in the form of powder have a particle size of preferably from 0 to 400 μm, irrespective of the ionicity of the polymers, and preferably from 0 to 300 μm for the nonionic polymers. . Procédé de fracturation hydraulique selon la revendication 10 caractérisé en ce que le temps de résidence total dans les cuves d'hydratation et de dissolution est compris entre 20 et 30 minutes.Hydraulic fracturing method according to claim 10, characterized in that the total residence time in the hydration and dissolution tanks is between 20 and 30 minutes.
EP13159641.3A 2012-05-04 2013-03-15 Improved equipment adapted for dissolution of polymer in fracturing operations Active EP2660420B1 (en)

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PL2660420T3 (en) 2015-05-29
CA2806404C (en) 2019-10-08
CA2806404A1 (en) 2013-11-04
FR2990233A1 (en) 2013-11-08
CN103381339B (en) 2016-05-04
FR2990233B1 (en) 2014-05-09
EP2660420B1 (en) 2014-12-03
US20130292122A1 (en) 2013-11-07
EA201300158A1 (en) 2013-11-29
EA025089B1 (en) 2016-11-30
AR090117A1 (en) 2014-10-22
UA110942C2 (en) 2016-03-10
US9067182B2 (en) 2015-06-30
CN103381339A (en) 2013-11-06

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