Modular switchgear system and power distribution for electric oilfield equipment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11208878-B2
Application number	US-201916597014-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2019
Priority date	Oct 9, 2018
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes a support structure that includes an electric powered pump, arranged in a first area, the electric powered pump powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in a second area proximate the first area, connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor. The system includes a transformer, arranged in a third area proximate the second area. The system also includes a cooling system, arranged in a fourth area proximate the third area, the cooling system providing a cooling fluid to the VFD via one or more headers.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising:
an electric powered pump coupled to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, the electric powered pump configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well;
a variable frequency drive (VFD) connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor;
a transformer for conditioning power to the electric powered pump, the power being received from at least one generator at a voltage higher than an operating voltage of the electric pump; and
a switchgear, receiving power from at least one generator, configured to distribute power to a plurality of pieces of wellsite equipment, the switchgear having a common load sharing bus and front aligned, shielded cable connections, the switchgear being positioned within an enclosure;
wherein the electric powered pump, the VFD, the switchgear, and the transformer are mounted on a common support structure and a single cable couples the switchgear to the transformer.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the common load sharing bus is configured to synchronize three-phase power of a similar voltage and frequency from different sources, the switchgear evenly distributing an electrical load between the electric powered pump and the at least one generator.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the common load sharing bus is configured to isolate the electric powered pump, the at least one generator, and the switchgear.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electric powered pump, the VFD, and the transformer are mounted on the common support structure and a second single cable couples the switchgear to the common support structure.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cooling system providing a cooling fluid to the VFD via one or more headers.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the switchgear comprises:
integrated core units configured to operate in a connected position, an open position, or a grounded position.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the switchgear further comprises:
an isolating ground switch, enclosed within a tank arranged proximate the common load sharing bus; and
cable connections for coupling to the switchgear.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the common support structure is at least one of a trailer, a skid, a pad, a truck bed, or a combination thereof.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
cable trays positioned below a walking surface of the common support structure, the cable trays being covered by a hinged cover that pivots to provide access to one or more cable trays.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a human machine interface, positioned proximate the VFD; and
a platform cover at least partially covering the humane machine interface and VFD.

Assignees

• U S Well Services Llc

Inventors

• Oehring Jared
• Hinderliter Brandon N
• Robinson Lon

Classifications

• E21B43/26 Primary

  by forming crevices or fractures · CPC title

• E21B43/2607 Primary

  Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations · CPC title

• H02B1/20

  Bus-bar or other wiring layouts, e.g. in cubicles, in switchyards (installations of bus-bars H02G5/00) · CPC title

• F04B17/06

  Mobile combinations · CPC title

• F04B17/03

  driven by electric motors · CPC title