(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY(PCT)
`~
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`(19) World Intellectual Property
`Organization
`International Bureau
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`(43) International Publication Date
`16 July 2020 (16.07.2020)
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`~S
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`=
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`WIPO!|PCT
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`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2020/145978 Al
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`(51) International Patent Classification:
`E21B 43/26 (2006.01)
`E21B 34/00 (2006.01)
`E21B 43/17 (2006.01)
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`(21) International Application Number:
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`PCT/US2019/013063
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`(22) International Filing Date:
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`(25) Filing Language:
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`(26) Publication Language:
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`10 January 2019 (10.01.2019)
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(71) Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES,
`INC. [US/US]; 3000 N. Sam Houston PkwyE., Houston,
`TX 77032-3219 (US).
`
`(72) Inventors: BEUTERBAUGH, Aaron, Michael; 17415
`SpicewoodSprings Ln, Spring, TX 77379 (US). NGUYEN,
`Philip, D.; 13419 Piney View Lane, Houston, TX 77044
`(US). STEPHENSON,Stanley, V.; 920 E. Osage Rd.,
`
`(74)
`
`(81)
`
`Duncan, OK 73533 (US). SMITH, Jonathan; 20518
`Chapel Glen Ct., Katy, TX 77450 (US).
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`Agent: HILTON, Robert et al.; Mcguirewood LLP, 1750
`Tysons Blvd., Suite 1800, Tysons Corner, VA 22102 (US).
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available); AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW,BY, BZ,
`CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DJ, DK, DM, DO,
`DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN,
`HR, HU, ID,IL, IN,IR, IS, JO, JP, KE, KG, KH, KN, KP,
`KR, KW, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME,
`MG,MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ,
`OM,PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW,SA,
`SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN,
`TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`(84)
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM,KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, TZ,
`UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ,
`
`(54) Title: SIMULFRAC PULSED TREATMENT
`
`
`
`
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`(57) Abstract: A method and systempulsefor treating a plurality of wells simultaneouslyincludes applying a high pressure of fracturing
`fluid to one or more switching valves and repeatedly opening and closing the one or more switching valves to divert the fracturing
`fluid near instantaneously from one wellto the other well to creating a pulse waveinto the plurality of wells for fracturing subterranean
`formations. The one or more switching valves maybe a single 3-wayvalve incorporating the function of two or more switching valves.
`This technique reduces wearof surface equipment including high pressure pumpsthat need only provide a constant pressure.
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`WO 2020/145978 AX [IMTTIMINIMTANMTNIAN TAC TMC COT IN AEA
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`TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK,
`EE,ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU,IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,
`MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM,
`TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
`KM,ML, MR,NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Declarations under Rule 4.17:
`—_ofinventorship (Rule 4.17(iv))
`Published:
`—_ with international searchreport (Art. 21(3))
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`SIMULFRAC PULSED TREATMENT
`
`BACKGROUND
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`[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to pulsed fractured treatment of subterranean
`
`formations of wells, among other features.
`
`[0002] Oil and natural gas are generally extracted from fissures or other activities created in
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`subterranean strata. To improve extraction of these resources, a well may be subjected to a
`
`fracturing process that promotes creation of fractures in a rock formation.
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`[0003] Pulse fracturing is often used to create or enhancefractures in a rock formation, but one
`
`drawbackis the increased strain on surface equipment such as hydraulic high pressure pumps,
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`along with associated gear boxes and diesel engines. Traditional pulse fracturing often leads
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`to increased rate of equipmentfailure due to the pulsing nature of the fracturing process.
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`[0004] By reducing the amountof strain on the surface equipment, more effective use of the
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`surface equipment such as, for example, the high pressure pumps, blender, manifolds and
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`valves can be achieved, along with lowering the rate of equipmentfailure.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0005] Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with
`
`reference to the attached drawings, which are incorporated by reference herein, and wherein:
`
`[0006] FIG.
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`1
`
`is a generalized schematic viewof a plurality of wells in a subterranean
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`formation along with an example system of associated wellheads and surface fracturing
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`equipment, according to principles of the disclosure;
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`[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodimentof certain surface fracturing equipment,
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`according to principles of the disclosure;
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`[0008] FIG. 3A-3C are examples of valves of Fig. 2 in different stages of opening andclosing,
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`according to principles of the disclosure;
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`[0009] FIG.4 is an illustration of a multi-way valve, according to principles of the disclosure;
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`[0010] FIG. 5 is a flowdiagram of steps of performing a pulsed treatment of a plurality of
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`wells, according to principles of the disclosure.
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`[0011] The illustrated figures are only exemplary and are not intendedto assert or imply any
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`limitation with regard to the environment, architecture, design, or process in which different
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`embodiments may be implemented.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0012] In the following detailed description ofthe illustrative embodiments, reference is made
`
`to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. These embodiments are described in
`
`sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed subject matter, andit
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`is understood that other embodiments maybeutilized and that logical structural, mechanical,
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`electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeofthe
`
`disclosure. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
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`embodiments described herein, the description may omit certain information known to those
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`skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
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`sense, and the scopeofthe illustrative embodiments is defined only by the appended claims.
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`[0013] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the”are intended to include the plural
`
`forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that
`
`the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification and/or the claims,
`
`specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
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`not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements,
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`components, and/or groups thereof.
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`In addition, the steps and components described in the
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`above embodiments and figures are merelyillustrative and do not imply that anyparticular step
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`or componentis a requirement of a claimed embodiment.
`
`"
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`[0014] Unless otherwise specified, any use of any form of the terms "connect,"
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`"engage,"
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`"couple," "attach," or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant
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`to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and mayalso include indirect
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`interaction between the elements described. In the following discussion andin the claims, the
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`terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be
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`interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to." “Downhole”refers to a direction towards
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`the end or bottom of a well. “Downstream”generally refers to a direction generally towards a
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`wellhead, or towards the end or bottom of a well. The terms “about” or “substantially” refers
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`to within +/- 10%, unless context indicates otherwise.
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`[0015] The present disclosure relates generally to pulsed fractured treatment of subterranean
`
`formations of a plurality of wells. More particularly, the present disclosure relates generally
`
`to simultaneous pulsed fractured treatment of a plurality of wells in subterranean formations to
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`reduce wear and equipment failure due to increased or decreased pulsing pumping strain
`
`typically associated with traditional fracturing techniques. The system and method herein
`
`provides for near instantaneous switching of a single-mode high pressure fracturing fluid to
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`allow two or more wells to be pulsed simultaneously bya single source of high pressure
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`fracturing fluid. The high pressure fracturing fluid is pulsed by using one or more high pressure
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`valves to alternate fluidic flow between two or more wells. This intermittent flow, 1.e., pulsed
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`flow,is isolated in an alternating fashion solely to a single well amonga plurality of wells, thus
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`leading to increased efficiency in surface equipment and reducing equipment wear. The
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`alternating operation between a plurality of wells leads to multi-well pulsed completions and
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`moreeffective use of blender, pumps, manifolds and the like at the surface. Moreover, in this
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`way, the surface equipment can service and complete multiple wells often without having to
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`be moved, or disconnected and reconnected again.
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`[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a generalized schematic viewofa plurality of wells 120a, 120b in
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`a subterranean formation 125, along with associated wellheads 115a, 115b connected to surface
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`fracturing equipment 105 located at the surface 121. The wells 120a and 120b are depicted as
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`horizontal wells 130a, 130b but do not need to be a horizontal well, and could take other forms,
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`e.g., a vertical well. The surface equipment 105 maybe interconnected to the wellheads 115a,
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`115b using corresponding conduits 110a, 110b for conveying hydraulic fracturing fluid to the
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`wells 120a, 120b.
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`[0017] The hydraulic fracturing fluid mayinclude, for example, water or another liquid mixed
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`with sand or other proppants. The fracturing fluid may be proppant-laden or proppant-free. The
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`fracturing fluid is pumped into subterranean formation 125 to extend or create fractures in
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`subterranean formation 125 and fill the fractures with proppants, which operationally hold open
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`the fractures after pumping of the fracturing fluid has stopped. This permits formation 125
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`hydrocarbon fluids to more easily flow into the wells 120a, 120b.
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`In some well completion
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`operations, fracturing fluid used in the wells 120a, 120b can include other additives. For
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`example, the fracturing fluid can include acidic chemicals, alkaline chemicals, polymers, or
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`other agents to increase viscosity of the fracturing fluid.
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`[0018] Referring to FIG.2, the surface fracturing equipment 105 is shown in moredetail. The
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`surface fracturing equipment 105 in this example includes a one or more high pressure pumps
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`135a-135e, a blender 140, one or more switching valves 150a, 150b, switching valves 155a,
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`155b, and flapper checks 160a-160d. The blender 140 accepts raw materials such as sand 141,
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`base fluid 145 that may include other additives, and provides blended fracturing fluid to the
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`one or more pulse pumps 135a-135e via high pressure conduits 136. The one or more high
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`pressure pumps 135a-135e run at a constant rate to provide a substantially constant pressure of
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`the blended fracturing fluid to the one or more switching valves 150a, 150b via conduits 136.
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`The numberof high pressure pumpsandtotal flow rate from the one or more high pressure
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`pumps 135a-135e determine the pulse size of the fracturing fluid that are selectively diverted
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`to the plurality of wells 120a, 120b by one or more switching valves 150a, 150b. Because the
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`one or more high pressure pumps 135a-135e can run at a constant rate, the wear and tear on the
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`pumpsis significantly reduced.
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`[0019] The one or more switching valves 150a, 150b alternatively redirect the fracturing fluid
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`received via high pressure conduit 136 from the one or more high pressure pumps 135a-135e
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`from one wellhead 115a to another wellhead 115b. Downstream of each of the one or more
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`switching valves 150a, 150b are plug valves 155a, 155b. The plug valves 155a, 155b allow
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`absolute shut off of fracturing fluid flow after one of the switching valves 150a, 150b shifts to
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`a closed position in case there is some leakage flowfrom the associated switching valve 150a,
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`150b due to wear thereby causing leakage. The fracturing fluid received via high pressure
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`conduit 136 may be conveyed at 1000 psi or more.
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`[0020] Downstream of the plug valves 155a, 155b, flapper checks 160a-160d are strategically
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`placed along conduits 110a, 110b as required to prevent an unexpected well control situation
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`if the high pressure conduits 110a, 110b, 136 to the one or more high pressure pumps 135a-
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`135e or the high pressure pumps 135a-135e themselves were to develop a leak. The fracturing
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`fluid flows downstream from flapper checks 160a-160d through downstream high pressure
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`conduits 110a, 110b to the plurality of wellheads 115a, 115b, then onward to the respective
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`well 120a, 120b, as determined by the state of the one or more switching valves 150a, 150b.
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`[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, sequencing control of the one or more switching valves
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`150a, 150b include, as a first state, opening switching valve 150a and plug valve 155a such
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`that the flowrate of the fracturing fluid 151 from the one or more high pressure pumps 135a-
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`135e is directed to the first wellhead 1 15a, delivering a pulse, while switching valve 150b and
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`associated plug valve 150b are closed preventing fluid flow 151 to the second wellhead 115b,
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`as shown in FIG. 3A. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, a pulse of fluid flow 151 is directed to the
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`second wellhead 115b byfirst opening the plug valve 155b downstream of switching valve
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`150b, then switching valve 150b is opened as switching valve 150a is being closed. Generally,
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`the speed ofthe transition from open position to closed position of the switching valves 150a,
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`150b dictates the pulse amplitude directed to the respective well 120a, 120b. After switching
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`valve 150b is fully opened and switching valve 150a is fully closed, as shown in FIG. 3C,
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`initiating a pulse down well 120b, the plug valve 155a downstream of switching valve 155a is
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`closed. The process is then reversed to send a pulse towards wellhead 115a and to well 120a.
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`[0022] The time duration that a switching valve 150a, 150b is opened can vary, or can be
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`maintained of a constant duration from cycle to cycle. The time maybeselected from a range
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`of about 100ms to about 10 secs. Moreover, the time duration of a pulse created maybe equal
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`for each well 120a, 120b, or the time duration of a pulse may be unequal for one well 120a,
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`120b comparedto the other well. The control of the one or more switching valves 150a, 150b
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`may be achieved manually, hydraulically, or may be accomplished by a computerized
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`controller, such as shownin FIG.4.
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`[0023] As shown in reference to FIG. 4, switching valves 150a, 150b may be incorporated into
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`a single N-way valve 156 for controlling multiple outgoing flows to multiple wellheads. Valve
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`156 can be a 3-wayvalve. If separate valves are implemented as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, then
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`a linkage 152 can be connected between the two to keep them synchronized in relation to one
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`another so that as one valve changes, the other valve changes in proportionate manner.
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`Alternatively, another method to keep the switching valves 150a, 150b synchronized is to
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`employ a rotary actuator with a through shaft that could have one valve above the actuator and
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`the other belowthe actuator such that one is opening while the other is closing, and vice versa.
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`[0024] As the one or more switching valves 150a, 150b causefluid flowto shift from one well
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`120a, 102b to the other, the rate of opening the flow to one well and closing to the other will
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`have an impact on the pulse seen by each well 120a, 120b. Whenaflowstarts to flow into a
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`first well, a positive waterhammer wavegoingto that first well is created while a rarefaction
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`waveIs created in the second well due to the sudden drop in the flowrate to the second well.
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`The overlap of fluid flows to each well 120a, 120b can be controlled to optimize the downhole
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`pressure waves and minimize the surface impacts.
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`[0025] FIG.4 is an illustration of an example N-wayswitching valve 156. This can be a 3-
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`way switching valve. In essence, the N-way switching valve 156 incorporates the functionality
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`of two or more independent switching valves 150a, 150b into one single unit. The switching
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`valves 150a, 150b and N-way switching valve 156 can be operatively controlled by a controller
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`158. The controller 158 may also control any of the switching valves 150a, 150b, the N-way
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`switching valve 156, and may control any or all of the other components, including any of the
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`blender 140, plug valves 155a, 155b, flapper checks 160a-160d, and the high pressure pumps
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`135a-135e. The controller 158 may comprise a computer processor connected by a bus to a
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`memory. The memory mayinclude a software program for performing the control and
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`operational sequencing of the components, including the sequencing of opening and closing
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`the switching valves 150a, 150b, 156, plug valves 155a, 155b, and flapper checks 160a-160d.
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`[0026] FIG. 5 is an example flowdiagram of steps for performing a pulsed treatment of a
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`plurality of wells, according to principles of the disclosure. The flowdiagram of FIG. 5 may
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`employthe system or components shown in FIGS. 1-4. At step 170, a constant pressure of
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`fracturing fluid is provided to one or more switching valves switching valves 150a, 150b, or
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`N-wayvalve 156. The constant pressure is provided by one or more high pressure pumps 135a-
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`135e. The switching valves 150a, 150b, or N-wayvalve 156, are connected to a plurality of
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`wellheads 115a, 115b. A step 175, a first switching valve 150a is opened or opening while a
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`second valve 150bisat least partially closed, or closing, permitting the fracturing fluid to flow
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`to a first wellhead 115a associated with a first well 120a. A first time period is started to time
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`a duration of a created pulse in the first well 120a. The second switching valve 150b is
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`connected to the second wellhead 115b associated with a second well 120b for treating the
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`plurality of wells simultaneously. As a sub-step, a first plug valve 155a is opened before
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`openingthefirst valve 150a.
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`[0027] At step 180, the first switching valve 150ais closed at the end of a first predetermined
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`time period. As asub-step, the first plug valve 155a is closed. At step 185, a second switching
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`valve is opened. At step 185, asecond switching valve 120b is opened, while thefirst switching
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`valve 120ais at least partially closed or closing. As a sub-step, a second plug valve 155b is
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`opened before opening of the second switching valve. A second timeperiodis started to time
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`a duration of a created pulse in the second well 120b. At step 190, the second switching valve
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`120b is closed at the end of the predetermined second time period. As a sub-step, the second
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`plug valve 155b is closed. At step 195, the process may be continued as a newcycle by
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`repeating steps 175, 180, 185 and 190. A newcycle can varyin time with thefirst time period
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`varying in duration and/or the second time period varying in duration from one cycle to a next
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`cycle. The first time period and the second time period maybe predetermined and selected
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`from a range of about 100ms to about 10 secs.
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`In some applications, the first time period and
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`the second time period maybeselected from a range of about 500msto about8 secs. In some
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`applications, the first time period and the second time period may beselected from a range of
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`about 800msto about 5 secs.
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`In some applications, the first time period and the second time
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`period may be selected from a range of less than 7 secs and more than 200 ms.
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`[0028] Optionally, a third switching valve and associated third plug valve operatively
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`connected to a third well head maybe includedin the process as separate steps that operates in
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`similar sequential fashion after steps 185 and 190 and before steps 175 and 180.
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`[0029] The following clauses are additional descriptions of various aspects of the disclosure.
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`[0030] Clause 1: a method of hydraulic fracturing a plurality of wells, comprising
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`a)
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`applying a constant pressure of fracturing fluid to a plurality of switching valves
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`including a first switching valve connected to a first wellhead associated withafirst well and
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`a second switching valve connected to a second wellhead associated with a second well for
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`treating the plurality of wells simultaneously;
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`b) openingthefirst switching valve while the second switching valveis a least
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`partially closed permitting the fracturing fluid to flowto the first wellhead and first well for a
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`first time period;
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`c) closing the first switching valve at the end of thefirst period;
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`d) opening the second switching valve while the first valve is at least partially closed
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`for a second time period permitting fluid to flowto the second wellhead and second well
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`during the second time period;
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`e) closing the second switching valve at the end of the second period; and
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`repeating steps b) to e) to create a cycle of alternating pulsed pressure wavein the first
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`well for fracturing a subterranean formation associated with the first well and a pulsed
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`pressure wavein the second well for fracturing a subterranean formation associated with the
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`second well.
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`[0031] Clause 2: the method of clause 1, wherein in step b) the second switching valve is fully
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`closed during the first time period.
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`[0032] Clause 3:
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`the method of clause 1, wherein in step d) the first switching valve is fully
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`closed during the second timeperiod.
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`[0033] Clause 4:
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`the method of clause 1, wherein step b) includes openinga first plug valve
`
`located between the first switching valve and the first wellhead, before opening the first
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`switching valve.
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`[0034] Clause 5:
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`the method of clause 4, wherein step c) includes closing the first plug valve.
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`[0035] Clause 6: the method of clause 1, wherein step d) includes opening a secondplug valve
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`positioned between the second switching valve and the second wellhead, before opening the
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`second switching valve.
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`[0036] Clause 7:
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`the method of clause 6, wherein step e) includes closing the second plug
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`valve.
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`[0037] Clause 8:
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`the method of clause 1, wherein the first time period is equal to the second
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`time period.
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`[0038] Clause 9: the method of clause 1, whereinthefirst time period is not equal to the second
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`time period.
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`[0039] Clause 10:
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`the method of clause 1, wherein the duration of the first time period or a
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`duration of second time period varies from at least one cycle to at least another cycle.
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`[0040] Clause 11:
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`the method of clause 1, wherein the first time period or second time period
`
`is selected from the range of 100msto about 10 secs.
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`[0041] Clause 12:
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`the method of clause 1, further comprising:
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`applying the constant pressure of fracturing fluid to a third switching valve connected
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`to a third wellhead associated with a third well for simultaneouslytreating the plurality
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`of wells including the first well, the second well and the third well;
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`after each step e) but before each repeated step b), performing:
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`m) openingthe third switching valve while the second switching valve is a least
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`partially closed permitting the fracturing fluid to flowto the third wellhead and third well for
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`a third time period; and
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`n) closing the third switching valve at the end of the third period for create a pulsed
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`pressure wavein the third well for fracturing a subterranean formation associated with the
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`third well.
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`[0042] Clause 13:
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`the method of clause 1, wherein the applying the constant pressure of
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`fracturing fluid to the plurality of wells is supplied by one or more pumps.
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`[0043] Clause 14: a method of hydraulic fracturing a plurality of wells, comprising:
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`alternating application of a constant pressure of fracturing fluid to a plurality of
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`wellheads by opening andclosing at least one switching valve to create a pulsed pressure
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`wave in each well associated with the plurality of wellheads for fracturing a subterranean
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`formation associated with each well.
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`[0044] Clause 15:
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`the method of clause 14, wherein the pulse pressure waveis created by
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`opening and closing the at least one switching valve to re-direct the constant pressure of
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`fracturing fluid after a first application period from a first well of the plurality of wells to at
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`least one other subsequent well.
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`[0045] Clause 16:
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`the method of clause 15, further comprising:
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`redirecting the constant pressure of fracturing fluid after a second application
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`period time period from theat least one subsequent well back to the first well or another at
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`least one subsequent well.
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`[0046] Clause 17:
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`the method of clause 16, wherein the first time period substantially equals
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`the second time period.
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`[0047] Clause 18:
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`the method of clause 16, wherein the at least one valveis a plurality of
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`switching valves.
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`[0048] Clause 19: asystem for hydraulic fracturing a plurality of wells, comprising:
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`at least one pumpto supply a constant pressure of fracturing fluid to a plurality of
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`wells each having a wellhead; and
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`at least one switching valve connected between the at least one pumpandeach ofthe
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`plurality of wellheads, the at least one valve operable to alternate application of the constant
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`pressure of fracturing fluid to the plurality of wellheads by opening andclosing the at least
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`one switching valve to create a pulsed pressure wave in each well associated with the
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`plurality of wellheads for fracturing a subterranean formation associated with each well.
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`[0049] Clause 20:
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`the system of clause 19, wherein the at least one switching valve is a
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`plurality of switching valves with one of the plurality of switching valves connected to each
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`wellhead, the plurality of switching valves synchronized to permit alternating flowof the
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`constant pressure of fracturing fluid in each of the plurality of wells for a predetermined time
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`period causing the pulsed pressure wavein each well.
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`[0050] While this specification provides specific details related to providing simultaneous
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`pulsed treatment of a plurality of wells, it may be appreciated that the list of components is
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`illustrative only and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the forms disclosed. Other
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`components will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the
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`scope andspirit of the disclosure. Further, the scope of the claimsis intended to broadly cover
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`the disclosed components or steps and any such componentsor steps that are apparent to those
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`of ordinaryskill in the art.
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`[0051] It should be apparent from the foregoing disclosure of illustrative embodiments that
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`significant advantages have been provided. Theillustrative embodimentsare notlimited solely
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`to the descriptions andillustrations included herein and are instead capable of various changes
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`and modifications without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.
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`Whatis claimed is:
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`CLAIMS
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`1) A method of hydraulic fracturing a plurality of wells, comprising:
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`a)
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`applying a constant pressure of fracturing fluid to a plurality of switching valves
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`including a first switching valve connected to a first wellhead associated withafirst well and
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`a second switching valve connected to a second wellhead associated with a second well for
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`treating the plurality of wells simultaneously;
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`b) openingthe first switching valve while the second switching valveis a least
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`partially closed permitting the fracturing fluid to flowto the first wellhead and first well for a
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`first time period;
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`c) closing the first switching valve at the end ofthe first period;
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`d) opening the second switching valve while the first valve is at least partially closed
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`for a second time period permitting fluid to flowto the second wellhead and second well
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`during the second time period;
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`e) closing the second switching valve at the end of the second period; and
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`repeating steps b) to e) to create a cycle of alternating pulsed pressure wavein the first
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`well for fracturing a subterranean formation associated with thefirst well and a pulsed
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`pressure wavein the second well for fracturing a subterranean formation associated with the
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`second well.
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`2) The method of claim 1, wherein in step b) the second switching valveis fully closed
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`during the first time period.
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`3) The method of claim 1, wherein in step d) the first switching valve is fully closed
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`during the second timeperiod.
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`4) The method of claim 1, wherein step b) includes openinga first plug valve located
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`between the first switching valve and the first wellhead, before opening the first switching
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`valve.
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`5) The method of claim 4, wherein step c) includes closing the first plug valve.
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`6) The method of claim 1, wherein step d) includes opening a secondplug valve
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`positioned between the second switching valve and the second wellhead, before opening the
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`second switching valve.
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`7) The method of claim 6, wherein step e) includes closing the second plug valve.
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`8) The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is equal to the second time period.
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`9) The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is not equal to the second time
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`period.
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`10) The method of claim 1, wherein the duration ofthe first time period or a duration of
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`second time period varies from at least one cycle to at least another cycle.
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`11) The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period or second time period is selected
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`from the range of 100msto about 10 secs.
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`12) The method of claim 1, further comprising:
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`applying the constant pressure of fracturing fluid to a third switching valve connected
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`to a third wellhead associated with a third well for simultaneouslytreating the plurality of
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`wells includingthe first well, the second well and the third well;
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`after each step e) but before each repeated step b), performing:
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`f) opening the third switching valve while the second switching valveis a least
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`partially closed permitting the fracturing fluid to flowto the third wellhead and third well for
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`a third time period; and
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`g) closing the third switching valveat the end of the third period for create a pulsed
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`pressure wavein the third well for fracturing a subterranean formation associated with the
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`third well.
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`13) The method of claim 1, wherein the applying the constant pressure of fracturing fluid
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`to the plurality of wells is supplied by one or more pumps.
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`14) A method of hydraulic fracturing a plurality of wells, comprising:
`
`alternating application of a constant pressure of fracturing fluid to a plurality of
`
`wellheads by opening andclosing at least one switching valve to create a pulsed pressure
`
`wave in each well associated with the plurality of wellheads for fracturing a subterranean
`
`formation associated with each well.
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`15) The method of claim 14, wherein the pulse pressure wave1s created by opening and
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`closing the at least one switching valve to re-direct the constant pressure of fracturing fluid
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`after a first time period fromafirst well of the plurality of wells to at least one other
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`subsequent well.
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`16) The method of claim 15, further compri