Fracturing system layouts

Abstract

Systems for stimulation a formation include a plurality of variable frequency drives, each in communication with at least two high pressure pumps. A variable frequency drive actuates at least two electric motors associated with the high pressure pumps, such that the pumps pressurize fracturing fluid, proppant, or combinations thereof for flowing the fracturing fluid, proppant, or combinations thereof into the formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for stimulating a formation, the system comprising:
 a source of fracturing fluid in communication with the formation;   a source of proppant in communication with the formation;   a power source;   a plurality of variable frequency drives in communication with the power source; and   at least two high pressure pumps in communication with each of said variable frequency drives,   wherein a variable frequency drive receives power from the power source and actuates at least two electric motors associated with said at least two high pressure pumps, and wherein said at least two high pressure pumps pressurize fracturing fluid, proppant, or combinations thereof for flowing said fracturing fluid, proppant, or combinations thereof into the formation.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power source comprises a medium voltage power source. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of variable frequency drives comprises four variable frequency drives. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said four variable frequency drives are transportable on a single trailer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said four variable frequency drives are in association with at least eight high pressure pumps, and wherein said at least eight high pressure pumps are transportable on three or fewer trailers. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of variable frequency drives are spaced a distance from said at least two high pressure pumps sufficient to minimize ignition of fracturing fluid pressurized by said at least two high pressure pumps by said plurality of variable frequency drives. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the distance comprises at least 30 meters. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the source of fracturing fluid comprises propane. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a wellhead in association with the formation, wherein said at least two high pressure pumps are spaced a distance from the wellhead sufficient to minimize ignition of fracturing fluid pressurized by said at least two high pressure pumps. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the distance comprise at least 30 meters. 
     
     
         11 . A system for stimulating a formation, the system comprising:
 a source of fracturing fluid in communication with the formation;   a source of proppant in communication with the formation;   at least one power source;   at least one mobile platform comprising a variable frequency drive and at least two high pressure pumps mounted thereon, wherein said at least two high pressure pumps are coupled to the variable frequency drive,   wherein the variable frequency drive receives power from said at least one power source and actuates at least two electric motors associated with said at least two high pressure pumps, and wherein said at least two high pressure pumps pressurize fracturing fluid, proppant, or combinations thereof for flowing said fracturing fluid, proppant, or combinations thereof into the formation.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the power source comprises a medium voltage power source. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one mobile platform comprises four mobile platforms, each of said mobile platforms having a variable frequency drive and at least two high pressure pumps mounted thereon. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said at least two high pressure pumps engage the variable frequency drive via a single tie line. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a wellhead in association with the formation, wherein said at least two high pressure pumps are spaced a distance from the wellhead sufficient to minimize ignition of fracturing fluid pressurized by said at least two high pressure pumps. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the distance comprise at least 30 meters. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said high pressure pumps comprises a breakway feature adapted to decouple said at least one of said high pressure pumps from the variable frequency drive to enable substantially all output from the variable frequency drive to be provided to at least one other of said high pressure pumps. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said at least two high pressure pumps comprise a first high pressure pump of a first type and a second high pressure pump of a second type different than the first type. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the first type comprises a qunitplex pump and the second type comprises a triplex pump. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the first type, the second type, or combinations thereof is selectable to reduce harmonic resonance, vibration, or combinations thereof generated by said at least two high pressure pumps, the variable frequency drive, or combinations thereof.