WATER HEATING APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS HEATED WATER FLOW AND METHOD FOR USE IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

摘要

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. The method contemplates heating the water up to a temperature of about 200° F. (93.3 ° C.). A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a mixer, the cool water stream being at ambient temperature. The mixer has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the mixer, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+ (4.4-48.9° C.+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool and hot water to surge tanks or to mixing tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the mixing tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation. The mixer preferably employs lateral fittings that enable heated water to enter the mixer bore at an acute angle. The mixer can also provide a lateral fitting that exits the mixer bore upstream of the first lateral fitting, the second lateral fitting transmitting water via a conduit such as a hose to the heater.

主权项

1. A method of heating water for use in fracturing an oil and/or gas producing formation, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a heating apparatus for heating water to a temperature of at least about 40 degrees F. (4.4 degrees C.); b) receiving a water stream of cool or cold water at a mixer, the cool or cold water stream being at a temperature of less than a predetermined target temperature; c) the mixer having a first inlet that receives cool or cold water from the stream of step “b” and a first outlet that enables discharge of a substantially continuous stream which is a mix of cool or cold and hot water; d) the mixer having a second inlet that enables heated water to enter the mixer; e) adding heated water from the transportable heating apparatus of step “a” to the mixer via the second inlet; f) wherein the volume of water of step “b” is much greater than the volume of water of step “e”; g) wherein a selected proppant is added to the water discharged from the mixer after step “f”; and h) wherein the water and the proppant are transmitted into an oil and/or gas producing formation, wherein water flows substantially continuously from the first inlet to the first outlet during the fracturing process.