A method and system for forming a liquid mixture utilizes a mixing tank with a tank inlet oriented and configured to create a swirling liquid flow that forms a vortex within the tank. A portion of the swirling liquid is discharged through an outlet formed by an opening in a lower wall of the tank. At least a portion of the opening is offset to one side of a central axis of the lower wall. Liquid is circulated and reintroduced into the tank inlet. A material to be mixed is introduced into the swirling liquid flow within the tank interior to form a liquid mixture.

A dual chamber assembly for continuously injecting slurry into a wellhead by displacing it from chambers with pressurized clean fluid.

The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems. The treatment fluid can comprise a water-based fracturing fluid or a waterless liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fracturing fluid.

The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems.

A fracturing apparatus and a fracturing system are provided. The fracturing apparatus includes: a plunger pump configured to pressurize a fracturing fluid to form a high-pressure fracturing fluid; a turbine engine coupled to the plunger pump and configured to provide a driving force to the plunger pump; an auxiliary unit including a driving electric motor, the auxiliary unit being configured to provide the fracturing apparatus with at least one selected from the group consisting of start-up assist function, lubrication function, cooling function, and air supply function; and a power supply electrically coupled to the driving electric motor of the auxiliary unit to provide driving power.

A plug valve including a valve body defining an internal cavity, a first passage, and a second passage, a plug defining a third passage and being rotatable within the internal cavity, and an insert extending within the internal cavity between the valve body and the plug. The insert defines an interior surface and an opening aligned with the first passage of the valve body. The insert may also define a sealing surface extending around the opening and standing in relief against the interior surface to sealingly engage the plug. In addition to, or instead of, the sealing surface, the insert may define a projection at least partially defining the interior surface. In addition, a boot may be connected to the valve body and interlocked with the projection to prevent, or at least reduce, rotation of the insert relative to the valve body when the plug rotates within the internal cavity.

A chemical injection unit consisting of one or more injection loops that uses a Venturi injector and motorized valve with a control system to isolate chemicals from water until operating conditions are suitable to carry the chemical and water mixture down the main flow pipe. The invention adjusts chemical injection rate to maintain desirable operational properties, including chemical injection rate, chemical concentration, or fluid viscosity. Accurate and real-time injection of chemicals is beneficial for safety as well as economics of the drilling operation in terms of reduced drilling time, efficient use of chemicals, and minimal variation in processing conditions.

A method is described of mixing fluid materials, including solids and gases. The materials to be mixed are introduced between two cylindrical rotors mounted in parallel on a motorized shaft. The rotors have arrays of cavities on their cylindrical surfaces and rotate within close proximity to the interior of a cylindrical shell. Passage of the fluid between the rotating rotors and the interior surface of the cylindrical shell causes cavitation, which mixes the materials. The mixture is passed to outlets on the far sides of the rotors from the inlet. Apparatus is described for extending the flow path of the materials and thus increasing exposure to the cavitation process.

Systems and methods presented herein generally relate to a method that includes receiving water at a centralized facility. The method also includes receiving sand from one or more sand mines at the centralized facility. The method further includes receiving one or more chemicals at the centralized facility. In addition, the method includes using processing equipment of the centralized facility to process the water, the sand, and the one or more chemicals to produce a fracturing slurry. The method also includes conveying the fracturing slurry from the centralized facility to one or more fracturing sites.

A multi-blender system for blending liquid and solid particulates together to prepare a fracturing fluid, the blender system can include a plurality of independently operable blender units each having components that can operate with either blender unit. Each component may be a modular blender component mounted to respective independent frames. The independent frames are configured to be independently removable, replaceable and movable to multiple positions in the blender system. In some aspects the multi-blender system can operate at different sand concentrations, instantaneously adjust flow rate to one or more of the components in either blender unit, provide control redundancy, and may continue to operate despite a failure of one of the major components.