Mobile zipper unit

Abstract

An apparatus to distribute pressurized fluid from one or more sources to multiple wellbores. The apparatus includes a manifold having at least two inlets and at least two outlets. Pressurized fluid is brought into the manifold from opposing directions so that the fluid from one inlet will impinge upon the fluid from the other inlet thereby de-energizing the fluid. Additionally, the manifold is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the inlets is less than the cross-sectional area of the manifold thereby decreasing velocity minimizing the kinetic energy available to erode or otherwise damage equipment, while providing a pressure decrease as the fluid enters the manifold. The outlets are configured such that the cross-sectional area of the outlets providing fluid to a single wellbore is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlets such that no pressure increase occurs within the manifold or the outlets as the fluid exits the manifold. Additional velocity reduction enhancements may include angled or camp third turns between the inlet and the manifold or the manifold and an outlet.

1 . A zipper manifold comprising:
 a first mixing block being positioned between a wellhead and a frac missile, the first mixing block including a first end, a second end, and a first plurality of outlets;   a second mixing block having a third end, a fourth end, and a second plurality of outlets, the third end of the second mixing block being coupled to the second end of the first mixing block;   a buffer chamber extending from the first end of the first mixing block to the fourth end of the second mixing block;   a continuous sidewall from the first end of the mixing block to the fourth end of the second mixing block, the continuous sidewall including the first plurality of outlets and the second plurality of outlets.   
     
     
         2 . The zipper manifold of  claim 1 , wherein the first end is a first inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The zipper manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the fourth end is a second inlet, and the continuous sidewall does not include any other inlets between the first inlet and the second inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The zipper manifold of  claim 3 , wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are configured to receive flowing fluid in substantially opposing directions. 
     
     
         5 . The zipper manifold of  claim 3 , wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are directly coupled to the frac missile. 
     
     
         6 . The zipper manifold of  claim 2 , wherein each outlet associated with the buffer chamber is positioned on the continuous sidewall. 
     
     
         7 . The zipper manifold of  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of outlets provides access to a first wellbore, and the second plurality of outlets provides access to a second wellbore. 
     
     
         8 . The zipper manifold of  claim 7 , wherein a first valve controls fluid flowing into the first inlet, and a second valve controls fluid flowing into the second inlet. 
     
     
         9 . The zipper manifold of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of outlets is configured to be independently opened and closed. 
     
     
         10 . The zipper manifold of  claim 1 , wherein a flow pressure entering the first inlet and the second inlet is less than the flow pressure exiting the first plurality of outlets. 
     
     
         11 . A method associated with a zipper manifold comprising:
 positioning a first mixing block between a wellhead and a frac missile, the first mixing block including a first end, a second end, and a first plurality of outlets;   coupling a third end of a second mixing block to the second end of the first mixing block, the second mixing block having the third end, a fourth end, and a second plurality of outlets;   forming a buffer chamber extending from the first end of the first mixing block to the fourth end of the second mixing block, wherein a continuous sidewall from the first end of the mixing block to the fourth end of the second mixing block includes the first plurality of outlets and the second plurality of outlets.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first end is a first inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fourth end is a second inlet, and the continuous sidewall does not include any other inlets between the first inlet and the second inlet. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 receiving first fluids via the first inlet in a first direction;   receiving second fluids via the second inlet in a second direction, wherein the first direction and second direction are substantially opposite directions.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 directly coupling the first inlet and the second inlet to the frac missile.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each outlet associated with the buffer chamber is positioned on the continuous sidewall. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of outlets provides access to a first wellbore, and the second plurality of outlets provides access to a second wellbore. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 controlling, via a first valve, fluid flowing into the first inlet;   controlling, via second valve, fluid flowing into the second inlet.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 Independently opening and closing each of the first plurality of outlets.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a flow pressure entering the first inlet and the second inlet is less than the flow pressure exiting the first plurality of outlets.