Patent ID: 9133700
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for delivering a fluid mixture comprising: a pressurized proppant feed assembly, the assembly including a proppant storage vessel configured to contain therein a proppant material at ambient pressure and a pump assembly coupled to the proppant storage vessel, the pump assembly configured to output a proppant output flow at or above a fracturing fluid blending pressure, wherein the fracturing fluid blending pressure is greater than the ambient pressure; a fracturing fluid storage vessel configured to contain therein a fracturing fluid and output a fracturing fluid output flow at or above the fracturing fluid blending pressure; a thickener agent storage vessel configured to contain therein a thickener agent, the thickener agent storage vessel in fluid communication with the fracturing fluid output flow; a mixing apparatus coupled to the pressurized proppant feed assembly and the fracturing fluid storage vessel, the mixing apparatus in fluid communication with the proppant output flow and the fracturing fluid output flow, the mixing apparatus configured to mix the proppant output flow, the fracturing fluid output flow, and the thickener agent therein and output a thickened fluid mixture of proppant and thickened fracturing fluid at or above the fracturing fluid blending pressure; a high pressure pump assembly coupled to the mixing chamber and configured to deliver the thickened fluid mixture therein to a downstream component at an injection pressure, wherein the injection pressure is greater than the fracturing fluid blending pressure; a recapture system, configured to receive an output flow from one or more of an exhaust stream from the downstream component, a well flow-back stream, a vented output stream or an external source; and a separation and liquefaction system in fluid communication with the recapture system and the fracturing fluid storage vessel.