Remotely operated system for use in hydraulic fracturing of ground formations, and method of using same

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to improve on the safety and to allow more efficient production of subterranean formation during fracturing operations with a reduced down-time, minimal supervision and maintenance expense by utilizing remotely operated ground valves having metal-to-metal, gate and seat seal design operable to maintain a dual sided flow and pressure control. Use of a new 45-degree flow-T connector of a Zipper Manifold in combination with the system described is particularly useful for reducing erosion with proppant-laden fracturing fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A remotely operated system for use in hydraulic fracturing of ground formations, said remotely operated system comprising:
 an accumulator, said accumulator having at least three accumulator's controls, wherein said accumulator is positioned outside a Danger Zone of a fracturing field;   one or more high pressure hose(s) from said accumulator for flow of a pressurized substance to at least three ground valves;   the at least three ground valves, each said valve disposed within a flow line connecting a source of pressurized fracturing fluid with a well head, wherein each said valve is operable remotely by said accumulator's controls, said accumulator's controls configured to activate to a closed or an open position each of the at least three ground valves independently of each other through said one or more high pressure hose(s).   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said accumulator may be a hydraulic accumulator and powered by any means of energy source. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said accumulator may be positioned in relation to said at least three ground valves at approximately up to 150 feet from the closest of the at least three ground valves and at approximately up to 200 feet from the furthest of the at least three ground valves. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more high pressure hose(s) may be a hydraulic or a pneumatic pressure hose. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a flow-T connector, said flow-T connector designed to receive a fracturing slurry at approximately 45 degree angle. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least three ground valves are a hydraulic, metal-to-metal gate and seat seal design gate valves. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said at least three ground valves are configured for dual sided flow and operable to maintain a pressure control from a respective port of entry of each said valve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said at least three ground valves are capable of withstanding a working pressure of up to 15,000 psi from either port of entry of each said valve. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three ground valves are a hydraulic gate valves, said at least three hydraulic gate valves being each individually actuated through an accumulator's controls of a hydraulic accumulator. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three ground valves are operated from a distance of approximately 150 to 200 feet. 
     
     
         11 . A remotely operated system for use in hydraulic fracturing of ground formations, said remotely operated system comprising:
 an accumulator, having at least three accumulator's controls, said controls configured to individually control at least three ground valves, wherein said accumulator is positioned in relation to said at least three ground valves at approximately up to 150 feet from a closest of the at least three ground valves and at approximately up to 200 feet from a furthest of the at least three ground valves;   one or more high pressure hose from the accumulator for flow of pressurized substance, said pressurized substance capable to actuate the at least three ground valves;   the at least three ground valves disposed within the flow lines between a source of pressurized fracturing fluid and a well head, said at least three ground valves designed for dual sided flow and operable to maintain pressure control from a respective port of entry of each said valve;   a flow-T connector connecting the source of pressurized fracturing fluid with the well head, said flow-T connector designed to receive a fracturing slurry at approximately 45 degree angle.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said accumulator may be a hydraulic accumulator and powered by any means of energy source. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more high pressure hose(s) may be a hydraulic or a pneumatic pressure hose. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least three ground valves are a hydraulic, metal-to-metal gate and seat seal design gate valves. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said at least three ground valves are capable of withstanding a working pressure of up to 15,000 psi from either port of entry of each said valve. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said at least three ground valves are a hydraulic gate valves, said at least three hydraulic gate valves being each individually actuated through an accumulator's controls of a hydraulic accumulator. 
     
     
         17 . A method of hydraulic fracturing a ground formation comprising:
 disposing at least three ground valves within a flow lines, said flow lines connecting a source of pressurized fracturing fluid with a well head;   connecting said at least three ground valves through said valves' inlet and outlet lines with one or more high pressure hose(s);   connecting said one or more high pressure hose(s) with an accumulator, said accumulator having at least three accumulator's controls, wherein said accumulator is positioned in relation to the at least three ground valves at approximately up to 150 feet from the closest of said at least three ground valves and at approximately up to 200 feet from the furthest of said at least ground valves;
 before directing a fracturing slurry from a source of pressurized fracturing fluid through a flow lines, placing said accumulator's controls in an open position to remotely open each of the at least three ground valves to allow said fracturing slurry to pass through the flow lines; and 
   after each fracturing stage is completed, placing said accumulator's controls for each said at least three ground valve in a close position to stop the flow of the fracturing slurry through the flow lines to the well head.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said accumulator may be a hydraulic accumulator and powered by any means of energy source. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more high pressure hose may be a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure hose. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 connecting a flow-T connector with a flow lines, said flow-T connector designed to receive the fracturing slurry at approximately 45 degree angle. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least three ground valves are hydraulic, metal-to-metal gate and seat seal design gate valves. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said ground valves are configured for dual sided flow and operable to maintain a pressure control from a respective port of entry of each said valve. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said at least three ground valves are capable of withstanding a working pressure of up to 15,000 psi from either port of entry of said valves. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least three ground valves are hydraulic gate valves, said the at least three hydraulic gate valves being each individually actuated through an individual control of a hydraulic accumulator. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said the at least three ground valves are operated from a distance of approximately between 150 to 200 feet.