SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN AUTOMATED AND
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`INTELLIGENT FRAC PUMPING
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`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001]
`wells in low-permeability reservoirs. Specially engineered fluids are pumped at high
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`Hydraulic fracturing is a stimulation treatment routinely performed on oil and gas
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`pressure and rate into the reservoir interval to be treated, causing a vertical fracture to
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`open. The wings of the fracture extend away from the wellbore in opposing directions
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`according to the natural stresses within the formation. Proppant, such as grains of sand of
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`a particular size, is mixed with the treatment fluid to keep the fracture open when the
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`treatment is complete. Hydraulic fracturing creates high-conductivity communication
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`with a large area of a formation and bypasses any damage that may exist in the near -
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`wellbore area. Furthermore, hydraulic fracturing is used to increase the rate at which
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`fluids, such as petroleum, water, or natural gas, can be recovered from subterranean
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`natural reservoirs. Reservoirs are typically porous sandstones, limestones or dolomite
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`rocks, but also include "unconventional reservoirs" such as shale rock or coal beds.
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`Hydraulic fracturing enables the extraction of natural gas and oil from rock formations
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`deep below the earth's surface (e.g., generally 2,000 –6,000 m (5,000 –20,000 ft)), which
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`is greatly below typical groundwater reservoir levels. At such depth, there may be
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`insufficient permeability or reservoir pressure to allow natural gas and oil to flow from
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`the rock into the wellbore at high economic return. Thus, creating conductive fractures in
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`the rock is instrumental in extraction from naturally impermeable reservoirs.
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`[0002]
`fields, such as a slurry blender, one or more high-pressure, high-volume fracturing pumps
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`A wide variety of hydraulic fracturing equipment is used in oil and natural gas
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`and a monitoring unit. Additionally, associated equipment includes fracturing tanks, one
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`or more units for storage and handling of proppant, high-pressure treating iron, a chemical
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`additive unit (used to accurately monitor chemical addition), low -pressure flexible
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`hoses, and many gauges and meters for flow rate, fluid density, and treating pressure.
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`Fracturing equipment operates over a range of pressures and injection rates, and can reach
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`1
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`up to 100 megapascals (15,000 psi) and 265 litres per second (9.4 cu ft/s) (100 barrels per
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`minute).
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`[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
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`planning, coordination, and cooperation of all parties. Safety is always the primary
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`concern in the field, and it begins with a thorough understanding by all parties of their
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`duties. Conventional hydraulic fracturing operations are dependent on workers being
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`present to oversee and conduct said operation over the full lifetime to complete said
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`operation.
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`SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
`
`[0004]
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`This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further
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`described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key
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`or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid
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`in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
`
`[0005]
`fluids into a first well via at least one pump manifold by opening a first set of valves. The
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`In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a method. The method may include pumping
`
`method may also include pumping the fluids into a second well via the at least one pump
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`manifold while continuously pumping the fluids into the first well by opening a second
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`set of valves. The method further includes closing the first set of valves to stop pumping
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`the fluids into the first well and isolating and continuously pumping the fluids into the
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`second well.
`
`[0006]
`
`In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a method for providing a fracturing
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`pumping plan on a software application. The fracturing plan may include pre-made
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`instructions to perform at least one continuous pumping operations for one or more wells.
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`The method may also include executing the fracturing pumping plan to perform the at
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`least one continuous pumping operations in a built hydraulic fracturing system coupled
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`to the one or more wells.
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`2
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`IWS EXHIBIT 1024
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`[0007]
`system having a plurality of devices connected together and in fluid communication with
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`In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a system with a built hydraulic fracturing
`
`one or more wells. The system may also include at least one continuous pumping
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`operations for one or more wells and a fracturing pumping plan provided on a software
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`application. The fracturing plan may include instructions to perform at least one
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`continuous pumping operations for the one or more wells. The instructions may include
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`a sequence of valve operations to direct fluid flow through a selected path into the one or
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`more wells.
`
`[0008]
`the appended claims.
`
`Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`[0009]
`to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
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`Figure 1 illustrates a view of a hydraulic fracturing system at a well site according
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`[0010]
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`Figures 2A-2G illustrate views of a human machine interface ("(“HMI")”) of the
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`hydraulic fracturing system of Figure 1 according to one or more embodiments of the
`
`present disclosure.
`
`[0011]
`site according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
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`Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of automating a hydraulic fracturing system at a well
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0012]
`to the accompanying figures. Wherever possible, like or identical reference numerals are
`
`Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in detail with reference
`
`used in the figures to identify common or the same elements. The figures are not
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`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
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`3
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`EX_1024_003
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`specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail
`
`to avoid unnecessarily complicating 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
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`such.
`
`[0013]
`
`Further, embodiments disclosed herein 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
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`limit the scope of the disclosure. For example, embodiments of the disclosure may be
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`used on an offshore rig and various rig sites, such as land/drilling rig and drilling vessel.
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`It is to be further understood that the various embodiments described herein may be used
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`in various stages of a well, such as rig site preparation, drilling, completion, abandonment
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`etc., and in other environments, such as work-over rigs, fracking installation, well-testing
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`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]
`disposed around a rig site to perform a wide variety of fracturing operations during a life
`
`In a fracturing operation, a plurality of equipment (i.e., fracturing equipment) is
`
`of the fracturing process (i.e., rig site preparation to fracturing 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
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`tanks, one or more units for storage and handling of proppant, high-pressure treating iron,
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`a chemical additive unit (used to accurately monitor chemical addition), low-pressure
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`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,
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`sensitive, complex, simple components, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, it is
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`also understood that one or more of the fracturing equipment may be interdependent upon
`
`other components. Once the fracturing equipment is set up, typically, the fracturing
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`operation may be capable of operating 24 hours a day.
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`4
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`[0015]
`require an entire team of workers to ensure proper sequencing. For example, a valve team
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`Conventional hydraulic fracturing systems in the oil and gas industry typically
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`may meet, plan, and agree on a valve sequence to then actuate the valves. As a result,
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`conventional hydraulic fracturing systems are prone to human errors resulting in improper
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`actuation of valves and expensive damage and non-productive time (NPT).
`
`[0016]
`challenges as well as provide additional advantages over conventional hydraulic
`
`One or more embodiments in the present disclosure may be used to overcome such
`
`fracturing systems. For example, in some embodiments, an automated hydraulic
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`fracturing system including a computing system described herein and a plurality of
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`sensors working in conjunction with built hydraulic fracturing system may streamline and
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`improve efficiency as compared with conventional hydraulic fracturing systems due, in
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`part, to reducing or eliminating human interaction with the hydraulic fracturing systems
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`by automating fracturing operations for continuous pumping in one or more wells.
`
`[0017]
`fracturing system that may perform continuous pumping processes in a hydraulic
`
`In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to automating a hydraulic
`
`fracturing 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 operations from one well to
`
`another well. Further, automatic hydraulic fracturing pumping may be used for
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`continuous non-stop pumping for one or more wells.
`
`[0018]
`provided on a software application, which may include pre-made instructions to perform
`
`Automatic hydraulic fracturing pumping system may utilize a pumping plan
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`multiple pumping processes carried out by the hydraulic fracturing system. Such
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`fracturing plans may include automating valves within the hydraulic fracturing system to
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`have a valve sequencing (e.g., opening and closing) to direct fluids (e.g., frac fluid) in a
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`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
`
`embodiments, solids may be present in the fluids. Automating a hydraulic fracturing
`
`
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`EX_1024_005
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`pumping system according to one or more embodiments described herein may provide a
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`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]
`embodiments of the present disclosure. The automated hydraulic fracturing pumping
`
`Figure 1 shows an automated hydraulic fracturing pumping system according to
`
`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
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`further include at least one pump manifold 103 in fluid communication with the zipper
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`manifold 102. In use, the at least one pump manifold 103 may be fluidly connected to
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`and receive pressurized fracking fluid from one or more high pressure pumps (not shown),
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`and direct that pressurized fracking fluid to the zipper manifold 102, which may include
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`one or more valves that may be closed to isolate the wellhead assembly 101 from the flow
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`of pressurized fluid within the zipper manifold 102 and pump manifold 103.
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`[0019] [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,
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`but are not limited to, upper and lower master valves, wing valves, and swab valves, each
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`named according to a respective functionality on the wellhead assembly 101.
`
`[0020] [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, hydraulically, pneumatically, or mechanically. In some embodiments, 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 hydraulically actuated, the system 150
`
`may include a hydraulic skid with accumulators to provide the hydraulic pressure
`
`
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`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.
`
`[0021] [0022] Further, the built hydraulic fracturing pumping 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
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`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,
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`and thereby produce channels through which the oil or gas may flow, by providing a fluid
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`connection between pump discharge and the hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100.
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`The auxiliary manifold 104 may provide a universal power and control unit, including a
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`power unit and a primary controller of the hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100. The
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`at least one pop-off/bleed-off tank manifold 105 may allow discharge pressure from bleed
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`off/pop off operations to be immediately relieved and controlled. The at least one isolation
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`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
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`equipment, which may include equipment to connect between the equipment in the
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`adjacent manifolds.
`
`[0022] [0023]
`may each include a primary manifold connection 110 with a single primary inlet and a
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`In one or more embodiments, the manifolds 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107
`
`single primary outlet and one or more primary flow paths extending 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 accordance 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
`
`Application No. 15/943,306, which the entire teachings of are incorporated herein by
`
`reference. While not shown by Figure 1, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand
`
`the built hydraulic fracturing pumping system 100 may include further equipment, such
`
`as a blowout preventer (BOP), completions equipment, topdrive, automated pipe handling
`
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`equipment, 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
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`wide variety equipment used to form a built hydraulic fracturing system comprising a
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`plurality of devices connected together.
`
`[0023] [0024] Still referring to Figure 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
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`the devices. In a non-limiting example, some of the plurality of sensors 111 may be
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`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
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`navigation and ranging (SONAR), radio detection and ranging (RADAR), acoustic,
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`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
`
`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 equipment
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`performance and damage.
`
`[0024] [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 service, and/or compliance issues. In some
`
`embodiments,
`
`the plurality of
`
`sensors 111 may
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`transmit
`
`and
`
`receive
`
`information/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
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`have an antenna (not shown) to be in communication with a master antenna 112 on any
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`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
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`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 plurality of devices.
`
`[0025] [0026]
`the hydraulic fracturing equipment to aid in carrying out the fracturing plan. Additionally,
`
`In one aspect, a plurality of sensors 111 may be used to record and monitor
`
`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 compliance 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.
`
`[0026] [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 application 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 commands)
`
`and output (e.g., for display) of the computing system. In some embodiments, the HMI
`
`
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`116 may also include switches, knobs, joysticks and/or other hardware components which
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`may allow an operator to interact through the HMI 116 with the automated hydraulic
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`fracturing systems.
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`[0027] [0028] An automated hydraulic fracturing pumping system, 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 pipelines. 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.
`
`[0028] [0029]
`embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in one or more computing
`
`In one or more embodiments, a single software architecture according to
`
`systems having the HMI 116 built therein or connected thereto. The single software
`
`architecture may be any combination of mobile, desktop, server, router, switch,
`
`embedded 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
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`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, network interface, optical interface, etc.), and
`
`numerous other elements and functionalities.
`
`[0029] [0030] A computer processor(s) may be an integrated circuit for processing
`instructions. For example, the computer 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
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`understood that the computing system may receive data from the sensors described herein
`
`as an input.
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`[0030] [0031] A communication interface may include an integrated 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) monitor, 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-persistent storage, and/or persistent storage. Many different types of
`
`computing systems exist, and the aforementioned input and output device(s) may take
`
`other forms.
`
`[0031] [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.
`
`[0032] [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
`
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`which valves in the system are open or closed, time recordings of when valves in the
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`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
`
`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 organize what data is shown as well as how data is
`
`presented to a user (e.g., data presented as actual data values through text, or rendered by
`
`the computing device into a visual representation of the data, such as through visualizing
`
`a data model).
`
`[0033] [0034] The above description of functions presents only a few examples of
`functions performed by the computing system of automated hydraulic fracturing pumping
`
`systems herein. Other functions may be performed using one or more embodiments of
`
`the disclosure.
`
`[0034] [0035] The plurality of sensors 111 work in conjunction with the computing system
`to display information on the HMI 116. Having the automated hydraulic fracturing
`
`pumping system may significantly improve overall performance of the rig, rig safety,
`
`reduced risk of NPT and many other advantages. Embodiments of the present disclosure
`
`describe control systems, measurements, and strategies to automating rig operation (e.g.,
`
`fracturing operations). It is further envisioned that the automated hydraulic fracturing
`
`pumping system may locally collect, analyze, and transmit data to a cloud in real-time to
`
`provide information, such as equipment health, performance metrics, alerts, and general
`
`monitoring, to third parties remotely or through the HMI 116.
`
`[0035] [0036]
`software application such that the fracturing pumping plan may be displayed on the HMI
`
`In some embodiments, a fracturing pumping plan may be provided on the
`
`116. The fracturing pumping plan may be a set of instructions to perform multiple
`
`processes in a hydraulic fracturing pumping operation. In a non-limiting example, the
`
`
`
`12
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`IWS EXHIBIT 1024
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`EX_1024_012
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`

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`instructions may include a sequence of valve operations to direct fluid flow through a
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`selected path in one or more of the wellhead assemblies and manifolds on the frac pad,
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`with the sequence of valve operations being automatically controlled by the software
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`through a valve control system associated with the valves. Further, the HMI 116 may
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`have an emulate mode that can visually show the path through which fluid can flow by
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`monitoring the valve positions to determine current job state and provides choices for
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`possible stages. The emulate mode may allow the operator 114 to simulate a next stage
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`of the fracturing operation prior to making changes to the fracturing pumping plan. It is
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`further envisioned that the software application may include a simulation system such
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`that the fracturing pumping plan may be simulated and said results may be displayed on
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`the HMI 116. Based on the simulated results, the fracturing pumping plan may be
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`modified to create a customized fracturing pumping plan to be executed on the plurality
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`of devices of the automated hydraulic fracturing pumping system 10. One skilled in the
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`art will appreciate how the HMI 116 may allow the operator 114 to monitor, change, or
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`shut down fracturing operation. In a non-limiting example, the HMI 116 may send
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`permission requests to the operator 114 to perform various instructions from the
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`fracturing pumping plan and/or the customized fracturing pumping plan. Additionally,
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`the HMI 116 may include visual cues to allow for the monitoring and detection of a
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`wireline stage, send alerts of a valve leak, and/or any erosion/corrosion caused by the
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`flow of fluids in the plurality of devices.
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`[0036] [0037]
`with the software application on the computer system of the HMI 116 to automate the
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`In one or more embodiments, the plurality of sensors 111 may communicate
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`plurality of devices, such as a valve. In a non-limiting example, the fracturing pumping
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`plan may include an automated valve sequencing (e.g., when to open and close) during
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`completion stage based on pre-approved sequence as shown in Figures 2A-2G.
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`[0037] [0038] With reference to Figures 2A-2G, Figures 2A-2G show a non-limiting
`example of a fracturing pump plan of a hydraulic fracturing pumping system displayed
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`on the HMI 116. A hydraulic fracturing pumping system 200 may include a first wellhead
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`assembly 201a of a first well, a second wellhead assembly 201b of a second well, a third
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`wellhead assembly 201c of a third well, and a fourth wellhead assembly 201d of a fourth
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`13
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`IWS EXHIBIT 1024
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`EX_1024_013
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`

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`well, which may be arranged and connected as they would be in the built hydraulic
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`fracturing pumping system (see 100 of Figure 1). For example, a manifold connection
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`210a may fluidly couple each wellhead assembly 201a-201d to a primary manifold
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`connection 210b of a pump manifold (see 103 of Figure 1). It is further that each wellhead
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`assembly 201a-201d may have separate primary manifold connections connected to one
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`pump manifold or separate pump manifolds.
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`[0038] [0039]
`be operated by a single frac crew. Additionally, a second hydraulic fracturing pumping
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`In some embodiments, the hydraulic fracturing pumping system 200 may
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`system, which may