Connection between an oil and gas fracturing tree and a zipper module

Abstract

An oil and gas configuration is disclosed that creates and uses a single straight-line fluid path between a zipper module and a fracturing (or Christmas) tree. The single straight-line fluid path is created through connecting a series of valves (e.g., manual or automatic gate or plug valves) that coaxially share inner fluid passageways for transporting hydraulic fracturing fluid between the zipper module and the fracturing tree. The hydraulic fracturing fluid flows along the single straight-line fluid path upon from the zipper module to the fracturing tree. The fracturing tree is equipped with a multi-way block that directs—through one or more internal angled walls—the hydraulic fracturing fluid downward and toward a wellhead.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for establishing a wear-resistant fluid path between a fracturing (frac) tree stack and a zipper module, the system comprising:
 a fluid conduit;   at least one valve; and   a multi-way block,   wherein the fluid conduit, the at least one valve, and the multi-way block are coaxially connected to create a fluid path along a shared axis between the frac tree and into the zipper module for delivering fluid therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-way block further comprises:
 a generally horizontal inlet passage in fluid communication with the fluid conduit,   a generally vertical outlet passage in fluid communication with the frac tree, and   an angled passage connecting the inlet passage with the outlet passage,   wherein the angled passage is angled at a first angle with respect to the inlet passage and at a second angle with respect to the outlet passage.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-way block is formed of a hardened material such as steel. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the inlet passage, the angled passage, or the outlet passage is coated with a durable material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the inlet passage, the angled passage, or the outlet passage is coated with a dampening material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-way block is an actuatable valve. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the multi-way block is a two-way valve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the multi-way block is a three-way valve. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the multi-way block is a five-way valve. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the actuatable valve comprises an automatically actuatable valve that may be opened and closed either electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the angle of the angled passage with respect to the inlet passage is between 0 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , the angle of the angled passage with respect to the inlet passage is between 10 and 60 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , the angle of the angled passage with respect to the inlet passage is between 15 and 45 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising a fracturing (frac) tree and a zipper module, the system comprising:
 two or more valves coaxially connected in series between the frac tree and the zipper module, the two or more valves defining a single straight fluid path between the zipper module and the frac tree for a frac fluid to flow, wherein the frac tree comprises a multi-way, the block defining an angled internal fluid passage to direct frac fluid from the zipper module into a second internal fluid passage within the frac tree.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the multi-way block is formed of hardened material. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the angled internal fluid passage defined by the multi-way block is coated with a hardened material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the angled internal fluid passage defined by the multi-way block is coated with zirconia, partially stabilized zirconia, tungsten carbide, tungsten carbide nickel, tungsten carbide cobalt, titanium carbide, silicon nitride, sialon, silicon, silicon nitride, or a ceramic material. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the angled internal fluid passage defined by the multi-way block is coated with a dampening material. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the angled internal fluid passage defined by the multi-way block is coated with polyurethane. 
     
     
         20 . A method for performing hydraulic fracturing of a plurality of wellheads on a frac site, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of frac trees and zipper modules to the frac site;   swiveling the block of a first zipper module to transport frac fluid;   connecting at least two valves and at least one fluid conduit coaxially between the first zipper module and a first frac tree;   connecting in series the remaining zipper modules to the first zipper module;   connecting at least two valves and at least one fluid conduit coaxially between each remaining zipper module and a multi-way block of a corresponding frac tree;   pumping fluid to the first zipper module, the fluid then being distributed to the remaining zipper modules and flowing to each of the plurality of frac trees through the coaxially connected at least two valves and at least one fluid conduit.