Dual shaft motor fracturing module

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for use in delivering pressurized fluid to a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a well site comprising a wellbore and a dedicated source of electricity;   a mobile fracturing trailer at the well site for housing an electrically powered fracturing module;   a remotely controllable variable frequency drive disposed upon the fracturing trailer and electrically coupled to said electric motor, said variable frequency drive configured to control the speed of the electric motor;   the electrically powered fracturing module operatively associated with the dedicated source of electricity, the electrically powered fracturing module comprising an electric motor and a first fluid pump coupled to a drive shaft of the electric motor and configured to pump fracturing fluid into the well bore and a second fluid pump coupled to the drive shaft of the electric motor and configured to pump fracturing fluid into the well bore at the same time as the first fluid pump, wherein the first and second fluid pumps are axially aligned with the electric motor, further wherein the drive shaft of the electric motor is coupled to the first and second fluid pumps so that the electric motor is capable of concurrently driving both fluid pumps.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the electric motor is configured to drive the first fluid pump independently of the second fluid pump. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the electric motor is capable of operating at 2500 hp. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the variable frequency drive is configured to be electrically coupled to said dedicated source of electric power and provide electric power to the electric motor when the dedicated source of electric power is disposed at a remote location relative to the mobile fracturing trailer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the electric motor is capable of operating at 2500 hp during fracturing operations. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each fluid pump is a high horsepower plunger-style fluid pump having a power rating of at least 2500 hp. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mobile fracturing trailer houses a plurality of fracturing modules. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mobile fracturing trailer comprises an electrical transformer and drive unit. 
     
     
         9 . A fluid pumping module for use in delivering pressurized fluid to a wellbore, the module comprising:
 a mobile fracturing trailer at a well site for housing an electrically powered fracturing module;   a first and second fluid pumps disposed on the fracturing trailer and configured to pump pressurized fluid into the well bore at the same time;   an electric motor disposed upon the fracturing trailer and configured to concurrently drive both the first and second fluid pumps; and   a variable frequency drive disposed upon said fracturing trailer and electrically coupled to the electric motor and a dedicated source of electric power source, said variable frequency drive being configured to provide electric power to the electric motor from dedicated electric power source and allow the speed of said electric motor to be variably controlled.   
     
     
         10 . The fluid pumping module of  claim 9  wherein said electric motor is configured to drive each fluid pump regardless of the operation of the other fluid pump. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid pumping module of  claim 9  wherein the electric motor is capable of operating at 2500 hp. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid pumping module of  claim 9  wherein the variable frequency drive is configured to be electrically coupled to said dedicated source of electric power and provide electric power to the electric motor when the dedicated source of electric power is disposed at a remote location relative to the mobile fracturing trailer. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid pumping module of  claim 9  wherein the electric motor is capable of at least operating at 2500 hp during fracturing operations. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid pumping module of  claim 9  wherein each fluid pump is a high horsepower plunger-style fluid pump having a power rating of at least 2500 hp. 
     
     
         15 . A method of providing fracturing fluid from a pressurized fluid delivery system into an underground wellbore, the method comprising:
 on a mobile fracturing trailer, positioning first and second fluid pumps wherein the fluid pumps and electric motor are axially aligned in a fracturing module; mechanically coupling the electric motor to the fluid pumps so that the electric motor is configured to simultaneously drive both pumps to pump fracturing fluid into the wellbore, the electric motor being configured to drive each fluid pump regardless of the operation of the other fluid pump;   electrically connecting a variable frequency drive disposed on the fracturing trailer to the electric motor and a dedicated electric power source; and   the variable frequency drive providing electric power to the electric motor from the dedicated electric power source and allowing the speed of the electric motor to be variably controlled.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the dedicated source of electric power is located remotely relative to the mobile fracturing trailer, further including electrically coupling the variable frequency drive to the dedicated source of electric power. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the electric motor is capable of operation in the range of up to 1500 revolutions per minute and up to 20000 foot pounds of torque. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the mobile fracturing trailer comprises an electrical transformer and drive unit.