Method of delivering, transporting, and storing proppant for delivery and use at a well site

Abstract

A method of delivering proppant to a well site has the steps of transporting a load of proppant in a vessel to a desired location, moving the load of proppant from the vessel into a container so as to create a proppant-loaded container, unloading the proppant-loaded container into a pneumatic bulk trailer, and transporting the unloaded proppant in the pneumatic bulk trailer to well site. The container is placed onto a bed of a truck and moved in proximity to the vessel. The proppant-loaded container is placed onto a tilting mechanism and then tilted so that the proppant is discharged through a flow gate of a container into a hopper. The proppant in the hopper can then be conveyed to the pneumatic bulk trailer.

Claims

1. A method of loading and transporting proppant, the method comprising: a) positioning a plurality of empty proppant containers, each removably positioned on a trailer of a respective proppant transporting road vehicle and structurally strengthened to receive a large volume of proppant having a substantially spherical shape therein, in close proximity to a rail spur so that each of the plurality of empty proppant containers underlies a source of proppant received from rail cars on the rail spur, each of the plurality of empty containers including at least a first end surface and at least a second different end surface and each of the first and second end surfaces having a plurality of upright structural support members thereon to enhance integrity of the container for stacking and so that heavy weight from the proppant can be stored therein; b) filling the plurality of empty proppant containers with proppant thereby to produce a plurality of proppant filled containers, the plurality of empty proppant containers being filled when positioned on the respective trailer of the respective proppant transporting road vehicles; c) transferring the plurality of proppant filled containers with one or more proppant transporting road vehicles to a drill site; and d) unloading each of the plurality of proppant filled containers with an unloader.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising vertically stacking the plurality of proppant filled containers with a loader so that one of the plurality of proppant filled containers overlies another one of the plurality of filled containers to reduce the footprint of the area required for storage of the proppant.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: conveying, on a conveyor, the proppant from one or more proppant transporting rail vehicles to a source from which to fill the plurality of empty proppant containers, each proppant container of the plurality of empty proppant containers being structurally strengthened by a plurality of support braces positioned separate from a frame of the respective proppant container.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more proppant transporting road vehicles comprises a plurality of proppant transporting road vehicles, and wherein the method further comprises: staging the plurality of proppant transporting road vehicles so that each respective trailer of the plurality of proppant transporting road vehicles receives one or more of the plurality of proppant filled containers, each container of the proppant filled containers being moved from a vertically stacked configuration via a loader and placed onto a bed of the trailer of the proppant transporting road vehicle, the vertically stacked configuration being positioned in close proximity to the rail spur; and delivering the container away from the rail spur and to a well site, thereby increasing the efficiency with which proppant is transferred by the plurality of proppant transporting road vehicles.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: positioning a conveyor proximate a proppant transporting rail vehicle to receive proppant from the proppant transporting rail vehicle and thereby convey the proppant away from the proppant transporting rail vehicle when the conveyor operates; positioning the plurality of empty proppant containers to receive proppant sequentially so that as one of the plurality of empty proppant containers is filled to a desired level, such one container then being removed in favor of another one of the plurality of empty proppant containers with the capacity to accept more proppant; after removal of proppant from the conveyor, transporting each of the plurality of proppant filled containers away from the rail spur.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: loading each of the plurality of proppant filled containers onto a platform; providing a conveyor adjacent the platform and the plurality of proppant filled containers; and discharging the proppant from each of the plurality of containers onto the conveyor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the container apparatus as used in the system of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is an end view of the container apparatus as used in the system of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is an illustration of the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the proppant storage apparatus 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The proppant storage apparatus 10 includes a container 12 having a bottom wall 14, a top wall 16, a pair of side walls 18 and 20 and a pair of end walls 22 and 24. The side wall 18 extends between the bottom wall 14 and the top wall 16. The side wall 20 also extends between the bottom wall 14 and the top wall 16 in generally spaced parallel relationship to the side wall 18. The end wall 22 extends between the bottom wall 14 and the top wall 16. Similarly, the end wall 24 extends between the bottom wall 14 and the top wall 16 and also between the side walls 18 and 20. The top wall 16 has a hatch 26 formed thereon. Hatch 26 is openable so as to allow proppant to be introduced into the interior volume of the container 12. A flow gate 28 is positioned on the end wall 22. The flow gate 28 is openable so as to allow the proppant to flow outwardly of the interior volume of the container 12.

(5) It can be seen that the end wall 22 is recessed inwardly of an end of the pair of side walls 18 and 20 and inwardly of the bottom wall 14 and the top wall 16. As such, the outermost end 30 of the container 12 will provide a protective structure for the generally convex surface of the end wall 22. This convex shape of the end wall 22 facilitates the ability to funnel the proppant from within the interior volume of container 12 outwardly through the flow gate 28. The frame structure at the end 30 enhances the structural integrity of the container 12 at this end while protecting the mechanical structures associated with the flow gate 28. The flow gate 28 is slidable upwardly so as to open to the interior volume. An inlet 32 is generally positioned at the end wall 22 and opened through the end wall 22 to the interior volume of the container 12. This proppant inlet is suitable for allowing proppant and/or air to be introduced into the interior volume of the container. As such, when the container 12 is at a well site or other location, additional proppant can be introduced into the interior volume of the container 12 through the proppant inlet 32. Inlet 32 also allows air to be introduced into the interior volume of the container 12 so as facilitate the ability of the proppant within the container 12 to exit through the flow gate 28. The inlet 32 is in the nature of a tube that can be connected to a suitable hose. A vent 34 is also positioned at the end wall 22. Vent 34 opens to the interior volume of the container 12 so as to allow excess air pressure to exit outwardly of the container 18.

(6) The container 10 is configured so as to contain 96,000 pounds of proppant therein. Since each railcar can transport 192,000 pounds of proppant, a pair of containers 12 can receive all of the proppant from the railcar. However, conventional shipping containers could lack the structural integrity to contain such a large weight. As such, the proppant storage apparatus 10 includes an interior structure which enhances the integrity of the container 12 for its intended purpose.

(7) In particular, a longitudinal member 36 is positioned in the interior volume of the container 12. Longitudinal member 36 extends generally centrally of the interior volume of the container 12. The longitudinal member 36 has one end rigidly affixed to the end wall 22 and an opposite end rigidly affixed to the end wall 24. This connection will maintain the integrity of the end walls 22 and 24 in spite of the large weight of proppant urging thereagainst. A first cross member 38 is positioned within the interior volume of the container 12. The first cross member 38 has one end affixed to the side wall 18 and an opposite end affixed to the side wall 20. A second cross member 40 is also positioned in the interior volume of the container and is in generally spaced parallel relationship to the first cross member 38. Each of the cross members 38 and 40 is positioned generally centrally with respect to the height of the container 12. The second cross member has one end affixed to the side wall 18 and an opposite end affixed to the side wall 22. The cross member 38 and 40 are configured so as to maintain the integrity of the side walls 18 and 20 against the large weight of proppant contained within the interior volume of the container 12.

(8) FIG. 2 is an end view showing the proppant storage apparatus 10 of the present invention. In particular, the end wall 22 of the container 12 is illustrated as having a hatch 28 slidably received within guides 42 thereon. Suitable hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms can be associated with the flow gate 28 so as to raise or lower the flow gate 28. In the lowered position, the flow gate 28 locks the flow of proppant from the interior volume of the container 12. In the raised position, the flow gate 28 will open to the interior volume of the container 12 so as to allow proppant to be discharged therefrom. The proppant inlet 32 and the vent 34 are illustrated as positioned on the end wall 22.

(9) Within the concept of the present invention, it is advantageous to be able to stack several containers on top of one another. As such, the end surface 30 has structural uprights 44 and 46 thereon. Similarly, horizontal structural members 48 and 50 will extend between the structural uprights 44 and 46 at the top and bottom of the container 12. The structural members enhance the integrity of the container so that a large amount of weight can be stacked upon the container 12. Again, the structural members 44, 46, 48 and 50 enhance the integrity of the container 12 to the heavy weight supported therein.

(10) FIG. 3 shows a system 60 of the present invention. The system 60 initially involves the transport of a load of proppant to a desired location in a vessel 62. The vessel 62 is in the nature of hoppers associated with a bulk material train 64. The bulk material train 64 is driven by an engine 66 located on a rail spur 68. As such, in the present invention, the bulk material is delivered by the bulk material train 64 to the desired location. The vessel 62 of the bulk material train 64 can be immediately unloaded at this desired location so that the engine 66 can return the bulk material train 64 for other railroad usages.

(11) The rail spur 68 is illustrated as being located in an elevated location. As such, containers 70, 72, 74 and 76 can be located in proximity to the vessel 62 and adjacent to the bulk material train 64. Each of the containers 70, 72, 74 and 76 has a configuration similar to that shown herein in association with FIGS. 1 and 2.

(12) The hatch on the top wall 78 of the container 70 is illustrated as being adjacent to a conveyer 80 associated with the vessel 62. In other words, the hopper of the bulk material train 64 is opened adjacent to the conveyer 80. The conveyer 80 extends between the gate of the vessel 62 and the hatch at the top wall 78 of the container 70. Once this hopper of the bulk material train 64 is unloaded into the vessel 70, the conveyer 80 can be moved forwardly along the bulk material train 64 so that another hopper can discharge its proppant content into the container 72 of truck 82. The containers 70 and 72 are supported on the bed of the truck 82. Similarly, a conveyer 84 allows the unloading of another hopper of the bulk material train 64 into the container 74. The container 76 can be maintained in proximity to another hopper of the bulk material train 64 so that further unloading can occur.

(13) A container loader/unloader 86 is positioned so as to allow for the lifting and transport of the containers 70, 72, 74 and 76. In particular, in FIG. 3, in can be seen that the container loader/unloader 86 has removed the containers from the truck 88 and has placed containers 92 and 92 upon tilting mechanisms 94 and 96, respectively. The tilting mechanisms 94 and 96 include a support panel that is pivotally connected to a frame. A hydraulic mechanism can then pivot the plate upwardly so that the container 90 is tilted so that the end wall faces at an angle downwardly toward a hopper 98. The tilting mechanism 96 also includes a similar structure such that the end wall of the container 92 is directed downwardly toward the hopper 100. The tilting mechanisms 94 and 96 allow proppant to be discharged in a very fast, convenient and safe manner into the respective hoppers 98 and 100.

(14) A conveyer 102 extends to the bottom of the hopper 98 and to the top of a pneumatic bulk trailer 104. As a result, the proppant that is discharged through the flow gate at the end wall of the container 92 into the hopper 98 is transported by the conveyer 102 into the pneumatic bulk trailer 104. Similarly, another conveyer 106 extends from the hopper 100 to another pneumatic bulk trailer 108 so as to discharge proppant into the pneumatic bulk trailer. When each of the pneumatic bulk trailers 108 has been filled with proppant, these pneumatic bulk trailers 104 and 108 can then transport the proppant to the well site.

(15) Flatbed trucks 110 and 112 are in line for receiving additional containers 114. Truck 112 is positioned adjacent to the container 114 so that the container loader/unloader 116 can place the containers onto the flatbed of the truck 112. Truck 112 can then move to another position adjacent to the bulk material train 64 for the further unloading of the hoppers associated therewith. As such, it can be seen that the staging of the various flatbed trucks allows for the efficient and effective removal of the proppant from the hoppers of the bulk material train 64.

(16) In FIG. 3, the containers 114 are arranged in a stacked configuration. The containers 114, as illustrated in FIG. 3, are stacked in a five-high stack since the containers are empty. However, within the concept of the present invention, if it is possible to unload the bulk material train 64 faster than the bulk material trailers 104 and 108 are available, then the filled containers can also be arranged in a stack. Typically, the containers can only be stacked four-high in view of large weight supported therein. These containers can be stacked until such time as proppant is required or until such time as equipment is available for the unloading of such containers.

(17) Each of containers as utilized in the system of the present invention is a specially designed 8 foot by 20 foot container that is capable of containing 96,000 pounds of proppant. The containers can be moved by flatbed, low bed and container chassis that are accessible and economical. The facilities, such as illustrated in FIG. 3, requires only 1.5 acres to manage 45 million pounds of proppant. Empty containers can be stacked five-high and full containers can be stacked three or four high. Lashing can be used to ensure safety. The containers associated with the present invention allow proppant to be removed in an efficient and effective manner. Air can be injected through the inlet so as to facilitate the flow of proppant outwardly at the flow gate. In this arrangement, it has been found that 90,000 pounds of proppant can be unloaded in fifteen minutes.

(18) Each of the containers can be arranged as to store 360,000 pounds of proppant per 160 square feet of footprint. The unloading equipment can unload one railcar in less than twenty minutes or unload a 120 car unit train in less than 48 hours. Multiple railcars can be unloaded at the same time.

(19) The arrangement of containers is scalable for as much or as little proppant as required. A WMS inventory control system can be utilized. In such a system, each container can be bar-coded and logged-in to track the amount of proppant on hand by the mesh size of the proppant. Once the containers are loaded, they can be easily and safely stacked up in yards. As such, air space is utilized as opposed to yard space. All that is required is a solid foundation and proper container handling equipment.

(20) The proppant is unloaded from containers to pneumatic bulk trailers. As such, the proppant will stay dry and would be manipulated less then flat-stored proppant. When the proppant is ordered, the container-moving machines move the container to hydraulic chassis. Proppant is then dumped into the hoppers. An airbox is utilized so as to blow the proppant out of the container.

(21) The process of the present invention ensures close proximity of the site to the rail spur. The process of the present invention can be rapidly implemented when compared to silo facilities. Typically, such silo facilities can take up to two years to build. The number of containers is scalable for inventory requirements. A mini-stack of containers can be moved and recharged at the drill site so as to ensure continuous inventory for the fracturing operation. The system of the present invention can move the inventory closer to the production field then the prior art.

(22) The present invention provides a lower overall cost per ton of proppant. In particular, the empty containers can be staged on-site at the mine. This serves to smooth out productivity for the proppant supplier. It also serves to improve throughput/profits for the proppant supplier. Any over supplies or leftover production can be stored on-site. This allows the company to negotiate better rates in exchange for helping the proppant supplier with their supply chain problems.

(23) In contrast to prior systems where the pneumatic bulk trailer continually moves back and forth from the bulk material train to the well site, the present invention allows for the storage of such proppant in a location adjacent to the rail line. As a result, the truck drivers can have reduced fatigue. A safer work environment is promoted by the system of the present invention. A higher quality driver pool is maintained. Additionally, this system complies with Department of Transportation regulations.

(24) This application claims the benefit of, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/310,648, filed on Jun. 20, 2014, titled Method of Delivering, Transporting, and Storing Proppant for Delivery and Use at a Well Site, which is continuation of PCT Appln. No. PCT/US13/32819, filed on Mar. 18, 2013, titled System of Delivering and Storing Proppant for Use at a Well Site and Container for Such Proppant, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/427,140, filed on Mar. 22, 2012, titled System of Delivering and Storing Proppant for Use at a Well Site and Container for Such Proppant, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,251, issued on Jan. 7, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/332,937 filed on Dec. 21, 2011, titled Proppant Storage Vessel and Assembly Thereof, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,827,118, issued on Sep. 9, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

(25) The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.