( 19 ) United States
`( 12 ) Patent Application Publication ( 10 ) Pub . No .: US 2022/0268141 A1
`Krupa et al .
`( 43 ) Pub . Date :
`Aug. 25 , 2022
`
`US 20220268141A1
`
`IN
`
`( 54 ) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN
`AUTOMATED AND INTELLIGENT FRAC
`PUMPING
`( 71 ) Applicant : FMC Technologies , Inc. , Houston , TX
`( US )
`( 72 ) Inventors : Andrew Krupa , Houston , TX ( US ) ;
`Corey Massey , Houston , TX ( US ) ;
`James Cook , Houston , TX ( US )
`
`( 21 ) Appl . No .: 17 / 651,716
`
`( 22 ) Filed :
`
`Feb. 18 , 2022
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 60 ) Provisional application No. 63 / 153,607 , filed on Feb.
`25 , 2021 .
`
`Publication Classification
`
`( 51 ) Int . Ci .
`E21B 43/26
`E21B 34/02
`E21B 47/00
`( 52 ) U.S. CI .
`CPC
`
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`
`E21B 43/2607 ( 2020.05 ) ; E21B 34/02
`( 2013.01 ) ; E21B 47/00 ( 2013.01 ) ; E21B
`2200/20 ( 2020.05 )
`
`a
`
`( 57 )
`ABSTRACT
`A system may have a built hydraulic fracturing system with
`a plurality of devices connected together and in fluid com
`munication with one or more wells . The system may also
`include at least one continuous pumping operations for one
`or more wells and a fracturing pumping plan provided on a
`software application . The fracturing plan may include
`instructions to perform at least one continuous pumping
`operations for the one or more wells . The instructions may
`include a sequence of valve operations to direct fluid flow
`through a selected path into the one or more wells .
`
`304
`
`302
`
`Pre - Made
`Instructions
`
`Template
`Fracturing
`Pumping Plan
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`301
`
`Fracturing Pumping
`Plan
`
`At Least One
`Modified Instruction
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`305
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`303
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`Customized
`Fracturing
`Pumping Plan
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`306
`
`Simulation
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`At least one
`additional
`instruction
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`307
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`At Least
`One
`Additional
`Instruction
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`307
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`Execution
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`308
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`Automatically
`Execute
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`Human
`Permission
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`309
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`Pre - Made
`Instructions
`
`Template
`Fracturing
`Pumping Plan
`
`301
`
`Fracturing Pumping
`Plan
`
`At Least One
`Modified Instruction
`
`305
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`303
`
`Customized
`Fracturing
`Pumping Plan
`
`306
`
`At least one
`additional
`instruction
`
`Simulation
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`307
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`At Least
`One
`Additional
`Instruction
`
`307
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`Execution
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`Automatically
`Execute
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`Human
`Permission
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`US 2022/0268141 Al
`
`1
`
`Aug. 25 , 2022
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN
`AUTOMATED AND INTELLIGENT FRAC
`PUMPING
`
`BACKGROUND
`Hydraulic fracturing is a stimulation treatment rou
`[ 0001 ]
`tinely performed on oil and gas wells in low - permeability
`reservoirs . Specially engineered fluids are pumped at high
`pressure and rate into the reservoir interval to be treated ,
`causing a vertical fracture to open . The wings of the fracture
`extend away from the wellbore in opposing directions
`according to the natural stresses within the formation . Prop
`pant , such as grains of sand of a particular size , is mixed with
`the treatment fluid to keep the fracture open when the
`treatment is complete . Hydraulic fracturing creates high
`conductivity communication with a large area of a formation
`and bypasses any damage that may exist in the near - wellbore
`area . Furthermore , hydraulic fracturing is used to increase
`the rate at which fluids , such as petroleum , water , or natural
`gas , can be recovered from subterranean natural reservoirs .
`Reservoirs are typically porous sandstones , limestones or
`dolomite rocks , but also include “ unconventional reservoirs "
`such as shale rock or coal beds . Hydraulic fracturing enables
`the extraction of natural gas and oil from rock formations
`deep below the earth's surface ( e.g. , generally 2,000-6,000
`m ( 5,000-20,000 ft ) ) , which is greatly below typical ground
`water reservoir levels . At such depth , there may be insuffi
`cient permeability or reservoir pressure to allow natural gas
`and oil to flow from the rock into the wellbore at high
`economic return .
`nus , creating conductive fractures in the
`rock is instrumental in extraction from naturally imperme
`able reservoirs .
`[ 0002 ] Awide variety of hydraulic fracturing equipment is
`used in oil and natural gas fields , such as a slurry blender ,
`one or more high - pressure , high - volume fracturing pumps
`and a monitoring unit . Additionally , associated equipment
`includes fracturing tanks , one or more units for storage and
`handling of proppant , high - pressure treating iron , a chemical
`additive unit ( used to accurately monitor chemical addition ) ,
`low - pressure flexible hoses , and many gauges and meters for
`flow rate , fluid density , and treating pressure . Fracturing
`equipment operates over a range of pressures and injection
`rates , and can reach up to 100 megapascals ( 15,000 psi ) and
`265 litres per second ( 9.4 cu ft / s ) ( 100 barrels per minute ) .
`[ 0003 ] With the wide variety of hydraulic fracturing
`equipment at a well site , the hydraulic fracturing operation
`may be conducted . A hydraulic fracturing operation requires
`planning , coordination , and cooperation of all parties . Safety
`is always the primary concern in the field , and it begins with
`a thorough understanding by all parties of their duties .
`Conventional hydraulic fracturing operations are dependent
`on workers being present to oversee and conduct said
`operation over the full lifetime to complete said operation .
`SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
`This summary is provided to introduce a selection
`[ 0004 ]
`of concepts that are further described below in the detailed
`description . This summary is not intended to identify key or
`essential features of the claimed subject matter , nor is it
`intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the
`claimed subject matter .
`[ 0005 ]
`In one aspect , this disclosure relates to a method .
`The method may include pumping fluids into a first well via
`
`at least one pump manifold by opening a first set of valves .
`The method may also include pumping the fluids into a
`second well via the at least one pump manifold while
`continuously pumping the fluids into the first well by
`opening a second set of valves . The method further includes
`closing the first set of valves to stop pumping the fluids into
`the first well and isolating and continuously pumping the
`fluids into the second well .
`[ 0006 ]
`In another aspect , this disclosure relates to a
`method for providing a fracturing pumping plan on a soft
`ware application . The fracturing plan may include pre - made
`instructions to perform at least one continuous pumping
`operations for one or more wells . The method may also
`include executing the fracturing pumping plan to perform
`the at least one continuous pumping operations in a built
`hydraulic fracturing system coupled to the one or more
`wells .
`In one aspect , this disclosure relates to a system
`[ 0007 ]
`with a built hydraulic fracturing system having a plurality of
`devices connected together and in fluid communication with
`one or more wells . The system may also include at least one
`continuous pumping operations for one or more wells and a
`fracturing pumping plan provided on a software application .
`The fracturing plan may include instructions to perform at
`least one continuous pumping operations for the one or more
`wells . The instructions may include a sequence of valve
`operations to direct fluid flow through a selected path into
`the one or more wells .
`[ 0008 ]
`Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from
`the following description and the appended claims .
`
`a
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`[ 0009 ] FIG . 1 illustrates a view of a hydraulic fracturing
`system at a well site according to one or more embodiments
`of the present disclosure .
`[ 0010 ] FIGS . 2A - 2G illustrate views of a human machine
`interface ( “ HMI ” ) of the hydraulic fracturing system of FIG .
`1 according to one or more embodiments of the present
`disclosure .
`[ 0011 ] FIG . 3 illustrates a flowchart of automating a
`hydraulic fracturing system at a well site according to one or
`more embodiments of the present disclosure .
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`[ 0012 ] Embodiments of the present disclosure are
`described below in detail with reference to the accompany
`ing figures . Wherever possible , like or identical reference
`numerals are used in the figures to identify common or the
`same elements . The figures are not necessarily to scale and
`certain features and certain views of the figures may be
`shown exaggerated in scale for purposes of clarification .
`Further , in the following detailed description , numerous
`specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough
`understanding of the claimed subject matter . However , it
`will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art that
`the embodiments described may be practiced without these
`specific details . In other instances , well - known features have
`not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily compli
`cating the description . As used herein , the term “ coupled " or
`“ coupled to ” or “ connected ” or “ connected to ” may indicate
`establishing either a direct or indirect connection , and is not
`limited to either unless expressly referenced as such .
`
`a
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`US 2022/0268141 A1
`
`2
`
`Aug. 25 , 2022
`
`Further , embodiments disclosed herein
`[ 0013 ]
`are
`described with terms designating a rig site in reference to a
`land rig , but any terms designating rig type should not be
`deemed to limit the scope of the disclosure . For example ,
`embodiments of the disclosure may be used on an offshore
`rig and various rig sites , such as land / drilling rig and drilling
`vessel . It is to be further understood that the various embodi
`ments described herein may be used in various stages of a
`well , such as rig site preparation , drilling , completion ,
`abandonment etc. , and in other environments , such as work
`over rigs , fracking installation , well - testing installation , and
`oil and gas production installation , without departing from
`the scope of the present disclosure . The embodiments are
`described merely as examples of useful applications , which
`are not limited to any specific details of the embodiments
`herein .
`[ 0014 ]
`In a fracturing operation , a plurality of equipment
`( i.e. , fracturing equipment ) is disposed around a rig site to
`perform a wide variety of fracturing operations during a life
`of the fracturing process ( i.e. , rig site preparation to frac
`turing to removal of fracturing equipment ) and form a built
`hydraulic fracturing system . At the site , there is a wide
`variety of fracturing equipment for operating the fracturing ,
`such as a slurry blender , one or more high - pressure , high
`volume fracturing pumps , a monitoring unit , fracturing
`tanks , one or more units for storage and handling of prop
`pant , high - pressure treating iron , a chemical additive unit
`( used to accurately monitor chemical addition ) , low - pres
`sure flexible hoses , and many gauges and meters for flow
`rate , fluid density , treating pressure , etc. The fracturing
`equipment encompass any number of components that are
`durable , sensitive , complex , simple components , or any
`combination thereof . Furthermore , it is also understood that
`one or more of the fracturing equipment may be interde
`pendent upon other components . Once the fracturing equip
`ment is set up , typically , the fracturing operation may be
`capable of operating 24 hours a day .
`[ 0015 ]
`Conventional hydraulic fracturing systems in the
`oil and gas industry typically require an entire team of
`workers to ensure proper sequencing . For example , a valve
`team may meet , plan , and agree on a valve sequence to then
`actuate the valves . As a result , conventional hydraulic frac
`turing systems are prone to human errors resulting in
`improper actuation of valves and expensive damage and
`non - productive time ( NPT ) .
`[ 0016 ] One or more embodiments in the present disclosure
`may be used to overcome such challenges as well as provide
`additional advantages over conventional hydraulic fractur
`ing systems . For example , in some embodiments , an auto
`mated hydraulic fracturing system including a computing
`system described herein and a plurality of sensors working
`in conjunction with built hydraulic fracturing system may
`streamline and improve efficiency as compared with con
`ventional hydraulic fracturing systems due , in part , to reduc
`ing or eliminating human interaction with the hydraulic
`fracturing systems by automating fracturing operations for
`continuous pumping in one or more wells .
`[ 0017 ]
`In one aspect , embodiments disclosed herein relate
`to automating a hydraulic fracturing system that may per
`form continuous pumping processes in a hydraulic fractur
`ing operation . In another aspect , embodiments disclosed
`herein relate to automatic hydraulic fracturing pumping .
`Automatic hydraulic fracturing pumping may be used , for
`example , to plan and execute hydraulic fracturing pumping
`
`a
`
`operations from one well to another well . Further , automatic
`hydraulic fracturing pumping may be used for continuous
`non - stop pumping for one or more wells .
`[ 0018 ] Automatic hydraulic fracturing pumping system
`may utilize a pumping plan provided on a software appli
`cation , which may include pre - made instructions to perform
`multiple pumping processes carried out by the hydraulic
`fracturing system . Such fracturing plans may include auto
`mating valves within the hydraulic fracturing system to have
`a valve sequencing ( e.g. , opening and closing ) to direct
`fluids ( e.g. , frac fluid ) in a selected path and / or control
`pressure and pump rates within the system . As used herein ,
`a valve may be interchangeably referred to as a gate valve
`in the present disclosure . Further , fluids may refer to slurries ,
`liquids , gases , and / or mixtures thereof . In some embodi
`ments , solids may be present in the fluids . Automating a
`hydraulic fracturing pumping system according to one or
`more embodiments described herein may provide a cost
`effective alternative to conventional hydraulic fracturing
`systems . The embodiments are described merely as
`examples of useful applications , which are not limited to any
`specific details of the embodiments herein .
`[ 0019 ] FIG . 1 shows an automated hydraulic fracturing
`pumping system according to embodiments of the present
`disclosure . The automated hydraulic fracturing pumping
`system includes a built hydraulic fracturing pumping system
`100 having a plurality of connected together fracturing
`equipment at a rig site 1. The built hydraulic fracturing
`pumping system 100 may include at least one wellhead
`assembly 101 ( e.g. , a Christmas tree ) coupled to at least one
`time and efficiency ( TE ) or zipper manifold 102 through one
`or more flow lines ( not shown ) . The hydraulic fracturing
`pumping system 100 may further include at least one pump
`manifold 103 in fluid communication with the zipper mani
`fold 102. In use , the at least one pump manifold 103 may be
`fluidly connected to and receive pressurized fracking fluid
`from one or more high pressure pumps ( not shown ) , and
`direct that pressurized fracking fluid to the zipper manifold
`102 , which may include one or more valves that may be
`closed to isolate the wellhead assembly 101 from the flow of
`pressurized fluid within the zipper manifold 102 and pump
`manifold 103 .
`[ 0020 ]
`Additionally , the at least one wellhead assembly
`101 may comprise one or more valves fluidly connected to
`a wellhead that are adapted to control the flow of fluid into
`and out of the wellhead . Typical valves associated with a
`wellhead assembly include , but are not limited to , upper and
`lower master valves , wing valves , and swab valves , each
`named according to a respective functionality on the well
`head assembly 101 .
`[ 0021 ]
`Additionally , the valves of the at least one wellhead
`assembly 101 and zipper manifold 102 may be gate valves
`that may be actuated , but not limited to , electrically , hydrau
`lically , pneumatically , or mechanically . In some embodi
`ments , the built hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100
`may include a system 150 that may provide power to actuate
`the valves of the built hydraulic fracturing pumping system
`100. In a non - limiting example , when the valves are hydrau
`lically actuated , the system 150 may include a hydraulic skid
`with accumulators to provide the hydraulic pressure required
`to open and close the valves , when needed . The system 150
`may also be interchangeably referred to as a valve control
`system in the present disclosure .
`
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`US 2022/0268141 A1
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`3
`
`Aug. 25 , 2022
`
`Further , the built hydraulic fracturing pumping
`[ 0022 ]
`system 100 includes a plurality of additional rig equipment
`for fracturing operations . In a non - limiting example , the
`built hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100 may include
`at least one auxiliary manifold 104 , at least one pop - off /
`bleed - off tank manifold 105 , at least one isolation manifold
`106 , and / or a spacer manifold 107. The at least one pump
`manifold 103 may be used to inject a slurry into the wellbore
`to fracture the hydrocarbon bearing formation , and thereby
`produce channels through which the oil or gas may flow , by
`providing a fluid connection between pump discharge and
`the hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100. The auxiliary
`manifold 104 may provide a universal power and control
`unit , including a power unit and a primary controller of the
`hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100. The at least one
`pop - off / bleed - off tank manifold 105 may allow discharge
`pressure from bleed off / pop off operations to be immediately
`relieved and controlled . The at least one isolation manifold
`106 may be used to allow pump - side equipment and well
`side equipment to be isolated from each other . The spacer
`manifold 107 may provide spacing between adjacent equip
`ment , which may include equipment to connect between the
`equipment in the adjacent manifolds .
`[ 0023 ]
`In one or more embodiments , the manifolds 102 ,
`103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 may each include a primary mani
`fold connection 110 with a single primary inlet and a single
`primary outlet and one or more primary flow paths extend
`ing therebetween mounted on same - sized A - frames 108 .
`Additionally , the built hydraulic fracturing pumping system
`100 may be modular to allow for easy transportation and
`installation on the rig site . In a non - limiting example , the
`built hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100 in accor
`dance with the present disclosure may utilize the modular
`fracturing pad structure systems and methods , according to
`the systems and methods as described in U.S. patent appli
`cation Ser . No. 15 / 943,306 , which the entire teachings of are
`incorporated herein by reference . While not shown by FIG .
`1 , one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the built
`hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100 may include fur
`ther equipment , such as a blowout preventer ( BOP ) , comple
`tions equipment , topdrive , automated pipe handling equip
`ment , etc. Further , the built hydraulic fracturing pumping
`system 100 may include a wide variety of equipment for
`different uses ; and thus , for the purposes of simplicity , the
`terms “ plurality of devices ” or “ rig equipment ” are used
`hereinafter to encompass the wide variety equipment used to
`form a built hydraulic fracturing system comprising a plu
`rality of devices connected together .
`[ 0024 ]
`Still referring to FIG . 1 , the automated hydraulic
`fracturing system may further include a plurality of sensors
`111 provided at the rig site 1. The plurality of sensors 111
`may be associated with some or all of the plurality of devices
`of the built hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100 ,
`including components and subcomponents of the devices . In
`a non - limiting example , some of the plurality of sensors 111
`may be associated with each of the valves of the wellhead
`assembly 101 and zipper manifold 102. The plurality of
`sensors 111 may be a microphone , ultrasonic , ultrasound ,
`sound navigation and ranging ( SONAR ) , radio detection and
`ranging ( RADAR ) , acoustic , piezoelectric , accelerometers ,
`temperature , pressure , weight , position , or any sensor in the
`art to detect and monitor the plurality of devices . The
`plurality of sensors 111 may be disposed on the plurality of
`devices at the rig site 1 and / or during the manufacturing of
`
`a
`
`said devices . It is further envisioned that the plurality of
`sensors 111 may be provided inside a component of the
`plurality of devices . Additionally , the plurality of sensors
`111 may be any sensor or device capable of wireline
`monitoring , valve monitoring , pump monitoring , flow line
`monitoring , accumulators and energy harvesting , and equip
`ment performance and damage .
`[ 0025 ] The plurality of sensors 111 may be used to collect
`data on status , process conditions , performance , and overall
`quality of the device that said sensors are monitoring , for
`example , on / off status of equipment , open / closed status of
`valves , pressure readings , temperature readings , and others .
`One skilled in the art will appreciate the plurality of sensors
`111 may aid in detecting possible failure mechanisms in
`individual components , approaching maintenance or ser
`vice , and / or compliance issues . In some embodiments , the
`plurality of sensors 111 may transmit and receive informa
`tion / instructions wirelessly and / or through wires attached to
`the plurality of sensors 111. In a non - limiting example , each
`sensor of the plurality of sensors 111 may have an antenna
`( not shown ) to be in communication with a master antenna
`112 on any housing 113 at the rig site 1. The housing 113
`may be understood to one of ordinary skill to be any housing
`typically required at the rig site 1 , such as a control room
`where an operator 114 may be within to operate and view the
`rig site 1 from a window 115 of the housing 113. It is further
`envisioned that the plurality of sensors 111 may transmit and
`receive information / instructions to a remote location away
`from rig site 1. In a non - limiting example , the plurality of
`sensors 111 may collect signature data on the plurality of
`devices and deliver a real - time health analysis of the plu
`rality of devices .
`[ 0026 ]
`In one aspect , a plurality of sensors 111 may be
`used to record and monitor the hydraulic fracturing equip
`ment to aid in carrying out the fracturing plan . Additionally ,
`data collected from the plurality of sensors 111 may be
`logged to create real - time logging of operational metrics ,
`such as duration between various stages and determining
`field efficiency . In a non - limiting example , the plurality of
`sensors 111 may aid in monitoring a valve position to
`determine current job state and provides choices for possible
`stages . In some examples , the plurality of sensors may
`provide information such that a current state of the hydraulic
`fracturing operation , possible failures of hydraulic fracturing
`equipment , maintenance or service requirements , and com
`pliance issues that may arise is obtained . By obtaining such
`information , the automated hydraulic fracturing systems
`may form a closed loop valve control system , valve control
`and monitoring without visual inspection , and reduce or
`eliminate human interaction with the hydraulic fracturing
`equipment .
`[ 0027 ] An automated hydraulic fracturing system may
`include a computing system for implementing methods
`disclosed herein . The computing system may include a
`human machine interface ( “ HMI ” ) using a software appli
`cation and may be provided to aid in the automation of a
`built hydraulic fracturing system . In some embodiments , an
`HMI 116 , such as a computer , control panel , and / or other
`hardware components may allow the operator 114 to interact
`through the HMI 116 with the built hydraulic fracturing
`pumping system 100 in an automated hydraulic fracturing
`system . The HMI 116 may include a screen , such as a touch
`screen , used as an input ( e.g. , for a person to input com
`mands ) and output ( e.g. , for display ) of the computing
`
`a
`
`IWS EXHIBIT 1022
`
`EX_1022_013
`
`

`

`US 2022/0268141 A1
`
`4
`
`Aug. 25 , 2022
`
`system . In some embodiments , the HMI 116 may also
`include switches , knobs , joysticks and / or other hardware
`components which may allow an operator to interact through
`the HMI 116 with the automated hydraulic fracturing sys
`tems .
`[ 0028 ] An automated hydraulic fracturing pumping sys
`tem , according to embodiments herein , may include the
`plurality of sensors 111 , valve control system 150 , and data
`acquisition hardware disposed on or around the hydraulic
`fracturing equipment , such as on valves , pumps and pipe
`lines . In some embodiments , the data acquisition hardware
`is incorporated into the plurality of sensors 111. In a non
`limiting example , hardware in the automated hydraulic
`fracturing systems , such as sensors , wireline monitoring
`devices , valve monitoring devices , pump monitoring
`devices , flow line monitoring devices , hydraulic skids
`including accumulators and energy harvesting devices , may
`be aggregated into single software architecture .
`[ 0029 ]
`In one or more embodiments , a single software
`architecture according to embodiments of the present dis
`closure may be implemented in one or more computing
`systems having the HMI 116 built therein or connected
`thereto . The single software architecture may be any com
`bination of mobile , desktop , server , router , switch , embed
`ded device , or other types of hardware may be used . For
`example , a computing system may include one or more
`computer processors , non - persistent storage ( e.g. , volatile
`memory , such as random - access memory ( RAM ) , cache
`memory ) , persistent storage ( e.g. , a hard disk , an optical
`drive such as a compact disk ( CD ) drive or digital versatile
`disk ( DVD ) drive , a flash memory , etc. ) , a communication
`interface ( e.g. , Bluetooth interface , infrared interface , net
`work interface , optical interface , etc. ) , and numerous other
`elements and functionalities .
`[ 0030 ] A computer processor ( s ) may be an integrated
`circuit for processing instructions . For example , the com
`puter processor ( s ) may be one or more cores or micro - cores
`of a processor . Fracturing pumping plans according to
`embodiments of the present disclosure may be executed on
`a computer processor . The computing system may also
`include one or more input devices , such as a touchscreen ,
`keyboard , mouse , microphone , touchpad , electronic pen , or
`any other type of input device . Additionally , it is also
`understood that the computing system may receive data
`from the sensors described herein as an input .
`[ 0031 ] A communication interface may include an inte
`grated circuit for connecting the computing system to a
`network ( not shown ) ( e.g. , a local area network ( LAN ) , a
`wide area network ( WAN ) such as the Internet , mobile
`network , or any other type of network ) and / or to another
`device , such as another computing device . Further , the
`computing system may include one or more output devices ,
`such as a screen ( e.g. , a liquid crystal display ( LCD ) , a
`plasma display , touchscreen , cathode ray tube ( CRT ) moni
`tor , projector , or other display device ) , a printer , external
`storage , or any other output device . One or more of the
`output devices may be the same or different from the input
`device ( s ) . The input and output device ( s ) may be locally or
`remotely connected to the computer processor ( s ) , non - per
`sistent storage , and / or persistent storage . Many different
`types of computing systems exist , and the aforementioned
`input and output device ( s ) may take other forms .
`[ 0032 ]
`Software instructions in the form of computer
`readable program code to perform embodiments of the
`
`disclosure may be stored , in whole or in part , temporarily or
`permanently , on a non - transitory computer readable medium
`such as a CD , DVD , storage device , a diskette , a tape , flash
`memory , physical memory , or any other computer readable
`storage medium . Specifically , the software instructions may
`correspond to computer readable program code that , when
`executed by a processor ( s ) , is configured to perform one or
`more embodiments of the disclosure . More specifically , the
`software instructions may correspond to computer readable
`program code , that when executed by a processor ( s ) , may
`perform one or any of the automated hydraulic fracturing
`systems features described herein , including that associated
`with data interpretation and automated hydraulic fracturing
`pumping systems .
`[ 0033 ] The computing system may implement and / or be
`connected to a data repository , such as a database , which
`may be used to store data collected from an automated
`hydraulic fracturing system according to embodiments of
`the present disclosure . Such data may include , for example ,
`valve data , such as identification of which valves in the
`system are open or closed , time recordings of when valves
`in the system open or close , time periods for how long valves
`in the system are open or closed , and valve pressure data . A
`database is a collection of information configured for ease of
`a
`data retrieval , modification , re - organization , and deletion .
`The computing system may include functionality to present
`raw and / or processed data , such as results of comparisons
`and other processing performed by an automation planner .
`For example , data may be presented through the HMI 116 .
`The HMI 116 may include a graphical user interface ( GUI )
`that displays information on a display device of the HMI
`116. The GUI may include various GUI widgets that orga
`nize what data is shown as well as how data is presented to
`a user ( e.g. , data prese