Manifold and swivel connections for servicing multiple wells and method of using same

Abstract

A system and method is provided for maintaining a live bore throughout a manifold while alternating between fluid flow to a stimulated wellbore and to an inactive or resting wellbore. At least two fluid inlets deliver fluid to the live bore, the fluid inlets straddling the two or more fluid outlets connected to the respective wellbores. One or more or all of the inlets or outlets can have multiple flow-impinging ports for reducing fluid velocity through each port. In another embodiment a method flushing system is provided for freeze protection for piping for a resting wellbore. Further, high fluid flow swivel connections between the manifold and wellheads simplify installation and reduce operational stresses.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for delivering fluid from a common fluid source to two or more wellheads, comprising:
 a manifold having a bore;   two or more fluid outlets in communication with the bore and forming a live bore at least between the two or more fluid outlets, each fluid outlet being connected to a corresponding wellhead of the two or more wellheads and having a respective outlet valve between the live bore and the corresponding wellhead, the respective outlet valves being operable to deliver fluid to one wellhead at a time; and   at least first and second fluid inlets straddling the live bore and connected to the fluid source, wherein   when one fluid outlet and wellhead is blocked at its respective outlet valve, fluid is delivered to another of the two or more wellheads through the entire live bore supplied from each of the at least first and second fluid inlets.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bore is an axial bore and the at least first and second inlets are located adjacent opposing distal ends of the axial bore, the live bore being formed between the at least first and second inlets. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each fluid outlet has two or more outlet ports. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each fluid inlet has two or more inlet ports. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein two or more inlet ports are opposing for impinging their respective flow of fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least first and second inlets are formed in respective first and second fluid inlets and in communication with an intersecting inlet bore of each of the first and second fluid inlets;   each of the at least one fluid outlet is formed in a respective fluid outlet and in communication with an axial outlet bore of each of the fluid outlets; and   the fluid inlet bore and fluid outlet bore are in fluid communication with each other and comprise at least a portion of the live bore.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first inlet and second inlets each comprise at least one pair of opposing inlet ports. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one fluid outlet comprises at least two outlet ports. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a sum of the cross-sectional flow area of the inlet ports of the at least first and second inlets is equal to or less than a cross-sectional flow area of the live bore. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a sum of the cross-sectional flow area of the outlet ports of each of the at least one fluid outlets is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional flow area of the live bore. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a methanol source in fluid communication with the at least first and second inlets and configured to selectively deliver methanol to the live bore and selected wellheads, and receive returned methanol. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the methanol is maintained at a concentration of above 40% methanol. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the methanol source is fit with a sump to allow solids to settle therein and a screen to filter out solids from methanol being delivered to the live bore. 
     
     
         14 . A method of delivering a methanol from a methanol source to a manifold and one or more fracturing stacks of one or more wellbores, comprising:
 Isolating a selected fracturing stack from the wellbore;   opening first fluid outlet of the manifold and a first stack inlet valve of a selected fracturing stack to permit fluid communication between the manifold and the selected fracturing stack;   opening a return valve of the selected fracturing stack to permit fluid communication between the selected fracturing stack and the methanol source; and   circulating the methanol from the methanol source to the manifold, selected fracturing stack, and back to the methanol source.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 actuating the first fracturing stack inlet valve to the closed position and actuating a subsequent fracturing stack inlet valve of the selected fracturing stack to an open position; and   circulating methanol through the subsequent stack inlet valve.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of pumping the methanol further comprising filtering solids from the methanol returning to the methanol source. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising maintaining the methanol mixture at a methanol concentration of at least 40% 
     
     
         18 . A system for fluidly connecting a manifold with one or more fracturing stacks of one or more wellbores, comprising a plurality of fracturing lines fluidly connecting a manifold to one or more fracturing stacks, wherein one or more of the plurality of fracturing lines comprises at least one flanged swivel joint, each of the at least one flanged swivel joint having first and second flanged connections an inside diameter corresponding with that of the manifold or fracturing stack. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more swivels comprise at least three swivels.