Well Servicing Rig and Manifold Assembly

Abstract

A well servicing rig for communicating with a fluid source and an effluent reservoir (such as a flow back tank) has an apparatus for holding and dispensing coiled tubing. A manifold assembly is advantageously located on the rig for routing the pressurized fluid (such as nitrogen gas mixed with proppant) from the fluid source between the coiled tubing apparatus, the well and the effluent reservoir. The manifold assembly controls the flow of the fluid to perform fracturing operations, for reverse fluid circulation, for a common coiled tubing operation, for pressure testing, and the like. The assembly includes remotely controlled valves and pressure transducers for controlling the fluid flow, and chokes for diffusing fluid energy prior to entering the effluent reservoir. The rig, fluid source, effluent reservoir and a fluid pumper provide a novel method of servicing an underground formation (such as a coal bed) for natural gas.

1 . A servicing rig for a well adapted to communicate with a fluid source and an effluent reservoir, said rig comprising: 
 a base;    a coiled tubing apparatus on said base for holding and dispensing coiled tubing; and,    a manifold assembly on said base for routing pressurized fluid from said fluid source between said coiled tubing apparatus, said well and said effluent reservoir.    
   
   
       2 . The servicing rig of  claim 1  wherein said manifold assembly includes means for controlling the flow of said fluid through said assembly to selectively form at least one of a first fluid route to perform fracturing operations, a second fluid route for reverse fluid circulation, a third fluid route for a common coiled tubing operation, and a fourth fluid route for pressure testing.  
   
   
       3 . The servicing rig of  claim 2  wherein said means for controlling comprises an arrangement of remotely controlled valves and pressure transducers.  
   
   
       4 . The servicing rig of  claim 2  wherein said first and second fluid routes include means of diffusing energy of said fluid prior to proceeding to said effluent reservoir.  
   
   
       5 . The servicing rig of  claim 1  wherein said coiled tubing apparatus comprises a rotatable reel mounted on said base for holding and dispensing coiled tubing and a pivotable mast operatively mounted to said base, said manifold assembly being located intermediate said reel and mast.  
   
   
       6 . The servicing rig of  claim 1  wherein said base comprises a mobile carrier.  
   
   
       7 . A manifold assembly for routing a fluid from a fluid source between a wellbore annulus, an effluent reservoir and a tubing apparatus on a well servicing unit, said assembly comprising: 
 an inlet for receiving said fluid;    a first line in fluid communication with said inlet and tubing apparatus;    a second line in fluid communication with said first line and said annulus;    a third line in fluid communication with said first line and said effluent reservoir;    a fourth line in fluid communication between said second and third lines;    wherein said first, second, third and fourth lines are adapted for location on said well servicing unit.    
   
   
       8 . The manifold assembly of  claim 7  further comprising means for controlling the flow of said fluid through said assembly to selectively form at least one of a first fluid route to perform fracturing operations, a second fluid route for reverse fluid circulation, a third fluid route for a common coiled tubing operation, and a fourth fluid route for pressure testing.  
   
   
       9 . The manifold assembly of  claim 8  wherein said means for controlling includes a first remotely controlled valve located on said first line intermediate said second and third lines, a second remotely controlled valve on said first line downstream of said third line, a third remotely controlled valve located on said third line intermediate said first and fourth lines, a fourth remotely controlled valve located on said second line intermediate said first and fourth lines, and a fifth remotely controlled valve on said fourth line.  
   
   
       10 . The manifold assembly of  claim 7  wherein said third line includes choke means for diffusing fluid energy prior to entering said effluent reservoir.  
   
   
       11 . The manifold assembly of  claim 8  wherein said third line includes choke means for diffusing fluid energy prior to entering said effluent reservoir.  
   
   
       12 . The manifold assembly of  claim 9  wherein said third line includes at least one choke downstream of said fourth line for diffusing fluid energy prior to entering said effluent reservoir, and wherein said means for controlling further includes further remotely controlled valves for each choke.  
   
   
       13 . A method of servicing an underground formation comprising: 
 providing a fluid storage means;    providing a fluid pumping means capable of drawing fluid from said fluid storage means and supplying a sufficient fluid stream under sufficient pressure for servicing said underground formation;    providing a coiled tubing unit for receiving and introducing said fluid stream into said underground formation, said unit having a manifold assembly for routing and controlling said fluid stream between said unit and said underground formation; and,    providing an effluent reservoir for receiving fluid from said manifold assembly.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said fluid comprises nitrogen gas.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising introducing proppant into said nitrogen gas prior to being received by said coiled tubing unit.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said proppant comprises sand.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  comprising providing a high-pressure injection proppant system for introducing said proppant upstream of said coiled tubing unit and downstream of said pumper.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  comprising providing a crew truck for supplying fuel to said pumper and coiled tubing unit.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said coiled tubing unit includes a tubing apparatus and communicates with an effluent reservoir, and said manifold assembly comprises: 
 an inlet for receiving said fluid stream;    a first line in fluid communication with said inlet and said tubing apparatus;    a second line in fluid communication with said first line and said underground formation;    a third line in fluid communication with said first line and said effluent reservoir; and,    a fourth line in fluid communication between said second and third lines.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said manifold assembly includes means for controlling the flow of said fluid stream through said assembly to selectively form at least one of a first fluid route to perform fracturing operations, a second fluid route for reverse fluid circulation, a third fluid route for a common coiled tubing operation, and a fourth fluid route for pressure testing.