In this blog post, we have extracted the first paragraph of each section in our white paper, Choosing The Correct Flow Meters For Hydraulic Fracturing as a preview. We hope you will take the time to read our full white paper to gain the insights we have collected in the fracking industry.
INTRODUCTION
Hydraulic Fracturing requires accurate and durable flow meters to monitor several processes during a fracking treatment. Ranging from the measurement of source and flowback water to the injection of chemicals, flow meters must supply correct information to move the correct amount of media to the right process on time. Plus, flow meters play an important role in taking calculations for EPA reporting. With so many available technologies on the market today, selecting the correct meter requires knowledge of fracking and the role of flow meters in each process. This white paper will explain the challenges faced in fracking, strengths and weaknesses of several flow meter technologies, and provide guidance in meter selection for fracking treatments.
INTRODUCTION
Hydraulic Fracturing requires accurate and durable flow meters to monitor several processes during a fracking treatment. Ranging from the measurement of source and flowback water to the injection of chemicals, flow meters must supply correct information to move the correct amount of media to the right process on time. Plus, flow meters play an important role in taking calculations for EPA reporting. With so many available technologies on the market today, selecting the correct meter requires knowledge of fracking and the role of flow meters in each process. This white paper will explain the challenges faced in fracking, strengths and weaknesses of several flow meter technologies, and provide guidance in meter selection for fracking treatments.
BACKGROUND
Hydraulic Fracturing is the process of creating fractures in a rock layer to release trapped natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing is done by drilling horizontally through a rock layer and injecting a pressurized solution comprised of water, a proppant, and a chemical solution. This solution is sometimes referred to as frac fluid. The proppant used most commonly is sand and holds the fractures open allowing gas to flow into the well. The fracking treatment lasts two to three months and creates a well that will provide natural gas for twenty to thirty years.
Hydraulic Fracturing is the process of creating fractures in a rock layer to release trapped natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing is done by drilling horizontally through a rock layer and injecting a pressurized solution comprised of water, a proppant, and a chemical solution. This solution is sometimes referred to as frac fluid. The proppant used most commonly is sand and holds the fractures open allowing gas to flow into the well. The fracking treatment lasts two to three months and creates a well that will provide natural gas for twenty to thirty years.
CHALLENGE
While the need for flow meters in fracking is clear, the demands of the process require careful consideration when selecting the right technology for the job. The challenge that presents itself is different depending on the media the meters are measuring and the location of the meters. Later in this paper, we will apply specific challenges to specific meters. For now, here are some common challenges faced:
While the need for flow meters in fracking is clear, the demands of the process require careful consideration when selecting the right technology for the job. The challenge that presents itself is different depending on the media the meters are measuring and the location of the meters. Later in this paper, we will apply specific challenges to specific meters. For now, here are some common challenges faced:
TECHNOLOGY
In FLO-CORP’s experience, five flow meter technologies have been tested or are commonly in use in hydraulic fracturing including Coriolis Mass Flow, Positive Displacement, Turbine, Ultrasonic, and Volumetric. As it pertains to hydraulic fracturing, here is a summary of these technologies:
In FLO-CORP’s experience, five flow meter technologies have been tested or are commonly in use in hydraulic fracturing including Coriolis Mass Flow, Positive Displacement, Turbine, Ultrasonic, and Volumetric. As it pertains to hydraulic fracturing, here is a summary of these technologies:
PRICE POINT
The price point of specific flow meters will vary based on their exact build; however, as a general guide, here is a ranking of these technologies from most expensive to least expensive.
The price point of specific flow meters will vary based on their exact build; however, as a general guide, here is a ranking of these technologies from most expensive to least expensive.
FINDINGS
Weighing the challenge that hydraulic fracturing presents to flow instrumentation against the available technologies and their price points, allows specific findings to be drawn from the data. Below are these findings for each process within the fracking treatment. If you are unsure about the proper technology for your application, please contact FLO-CORP or another flow technology professional.
Weighing the challenge that hydraulic fracturing presents to flow instrumentation against the available technologies and their price points, allows specific findings to be drawn from the data. Below are these findings for each process within the fracking treatment. If you are unsure about the proper technology for your application, please contact FLO-CORP or another flow technology professional.
CONCLUSION
Hydraulic Fracturing creates the demand for accurate flow
instrumentation. Fracking treatments require flow meters in two
main areas: the movement of water and water based mixtures,
and the movement of chemicals. When considering factors such
as durability, rangeability, low flow, corrosive resistance, and
price, two main technologies emerge as superior: positive
displacement flow meters and MEMFlo volumetric flow meters.
When selecting meters for fracking (or any application), it is recommended to seek out professional help. While this white paper is a guide to meter selection, the appropriate technology choice will always depend on the specifics of an application. FLO-CORP supplies all technologies discussed in this white paper. Please feel free to use this white paper, FLO-CORP, and other resources to assist in selecting meters for fracking and other applications.
When selecting meters for fracking (or any application), it is recommended to seek out professional help. While this white paper is a guide to meter selection, the appropriate technology choice will always depend on the specifics of an application. FLO-CORP supplies all technologies discussed in this white paper. Please feel free to use this white paper, FLO-CORP, and other resources to assist in selecting meters for fracking and other applications.
Read the full white paper, Choosing The Correct Flow Meters For Hydraulic Fracturing.
