The disclosure provides a bulk material unloading system and method. The system includes a bulk material container containing a bulk material and an unloading device. The unloading device is configured to engage the bulk material container and at least partially invert the bulk material container. The method includes engaging a bulk material container containing a bulk material with an unloading device and emptying the bulk material container. Emptying the bulk material into the hopper includes lifting the bulk material container using the unloading device and rotating the bulk material container using the unloading device.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+ (4.4° - 48.9° C.+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool or cold and hot water to tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

Systems and methods to obtain a desired rheology of drilling mud are described herein. Embodiments generally include a hollow tubular body coupled to, and including, numerous shearing elements configured to facilitate achievement of such desired rheology.

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.

Systems for treating a viscous medium are illustrated. The systems may comprise a primary source of pressurized treatment fluid, a fluidic transfer assembly, and a helical mixing element. The fluidic transfer assembly comprises a fluidic transfer chamber and a fluid outlet. The primary source of pressurized treatment fluid is in fluidic communication with the fluid outlet of the fluidic transfer assembly via the fluidic transfer chamber. The primary source of pressurized treatment fluid is in fluidic communication with the fluid outlet of the fluidic transfer assembly via the fluidic transfer chamber. The helical mixing element comprises an interior treatment fluid passage and external injection ports. The fluid outlet of the fluidic transfer assembly is in fluidic communication with the external injection ports of the helical mixing element via the interior treatment fluid passage of the helical mixing element. The systems may be incorporated into methods for treating a viscous medium.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a manifold, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The manifold has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the manifold, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+(4.4-48.9 C+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool or cold and hot water to tanks. In the tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

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.

An apparatus and method for mixing fluids, gases and solids together where the apparatus includes at least two mixing head sections that are mirror images of each other and have abutting surfaces that are abutted together. The at least two mixing head sections have a first bore that extends therethrough from an inlet to an outlet, and at least one second bore whose length is longer than the first bore that extends from the inlet to the outlet.

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.

A system for mixing drilling fluids that includes a fluid supply tank for supplying an unmixed drilling fluid, a mixing reactor fluidly connected to the fluid supply tank, the mixing reactor including an intake and an outlet; a mixing chamber disposed between the intake and the outlet, an inlet for injecting a compressible driving fluid into the mixing chamber and an inlet for injecting an aerating gas into the mixing chamber is disclosed.