Modular switchgear system and power distribution for electric oilfield equipment

Abstract

A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes a support structure that includes an electric powered pump, arranged in a first area, the electric powered pump powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in a second area proximate the first area, connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor. The system includes a transformer, arranged in a third area proximate the second area. The system also includes a cooling system, arranged in a fourth area proximate the third area, the cooling system providing a cooling fluid to the VFD via one or more headers.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A hydraulic fracturing system, comprising:
 a support structure having a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area arranged adjacent one another;   an electric powered, multi-plunger pump with up to 15 plungers, arranged in the first area, the electric powered pump coupled to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area, the electric powered pump configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well;   a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in the second area proximate the first area, connected to the at least one electric motor to control a speed of the at least one electric motor;   a transformer, arranged in the third area proximate the second area, the transformer positioned within an enclosure, the transformer distributing power to the electric pump, the power being received from at least one generator at a voltage higher than an operating voltage of the electric pump;   a common load sharing bus positioned within a second enclosure in the fourth area, a single cable coupling the common load sharing bus to the transformer; and   a cooling system, arranged in the fourth area, the cooling system providing a cooling fluid to the VFD.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a control system arranged in the fourth area, the control system to control one or more operating parameters of the electric pump, the VFD, the transformer, or the cooling system.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a switchgear subassembly associated with the common load sharing bus, the switchgear subassembly having integrated core units configured to operate in a connected position, an open position, or a grounded position.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the switchgear subassembly comprises:
 a busbar shielded, at least partially, by solid insulation;   an isolating ground switch, enclosed within a tank arranged proximate the busbar; and   cable connections.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the common load sharing bus is configured to isolate the electric powered, multi-plunger pump and the at least one generator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the support structure is at least one of a trailer, a skid, a pad, a truck bed, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 cable trays positioned below a walking surface of the fourth section, the cable trays being covered by a hinged cover that pivots to provide access to the cable trays.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the common load sharing bus is configured to synchronize three-phase power of a similar voltage and frequency from different sources, the switchgear evenly distributing an electrical load between the electric powered, multi-plunger pump and the at least one generator. 
     
     
         10 . A hydraulic fracturing system, comprising:
 at least one generator;   at least one switchgear having a common load sharing bus to receive electrical power from the generator;   an electric powered pump, arranged on a support structure to be powered by at least one electric motor;   a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged on the support structure proximate the electric powered pump and connected to the at least one electric motor;   a transformer, arranged on the support structure proximate the VFD, the transformer distributing power to the electric powered pump, the power being received from the least one generator at a voltage higher than an operating voltage of the electric powered pump; and   a single cable connection between the switchgear and the transformer.   
     
     
         11 . The hydraulic fracturing system of  claim 10 , where the switchgear comprises front aligned, shielded cable connections. 
     
     
         12 . The hydraulic fracturing system of  claim 10 , wherein the common load sharing bus is configured to synchronize three-phase power of a similar voltage and frequency from different sources, the switchgear evenly distributing an electrical load between the electric powered pump and the at least one generator. 
     
     
         13 . The hydraulic fracturing system of  claim 12 , wherein the different sources comprise at least two of: a gas turbine generator, a diesel turbine generator, a diesel engine generator, a natural gas engine generator, a battery, or an electrical grid. 
     
     
         14 . The hydraulic fracturing system of  claim 10 , wherein the common load sharing bus is configured to isolate the electric powered pump, the at least one generator, and the switchgear. 
     
     
         15 . The hydraulic fracturing system of  claim 10 , wherein the switchgear comprises:
 integrated core units configured to operate in a connected position, an open position, or a grounded position.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the switchgear further comprises:
 an isolating ground switch, enclosed within a tank arranged proximate the common load sharing bus; and   cable connections for coupling to the switchgear.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the support structure is at least one of a trailer, a skid, a pad, a truck bed, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A hydraulic fracturing system, comprising:
 a first generator;   a second generator;   at least one switchgear having a common load sharing bus to receive electrical power from the first generator and the second generator;   an electric powered pump to be powered by at least one electric motor that receives power from the at least switch gear;   a transformer distributing power to the at least one electric motor, the power being received from the switchgear over a single cable connection at a voltage higher than an operating voltage of the at least one electric motor.   
     
     
         19 . The hydraulic fracturing system of  claim 18 , wherein the first generator uses a different source than the second generator, wherein the respective sources for the first generator and the second generator comprise at least two of: a gas turbine generator, a diesel turbine generator, a diesel engine generator, a natural gas engine generator, a battery, or an electrical grid. 
     
     
         20 . The hydraulic fracturing system of  claim 18 , wherein the first generator and the second generator are powered by a common source type, wherein the source type comprises at least one of: a gas turbine generator, a diesel turbine generator, a diesel engine generator, a natural gas engine generator, a battery, or an electrical grid. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the common load sharing bus is configured to isolate the electric powered pump, the first generator, the second generator, and the switchgear.