Project Title:Modular Layout and Efficient Connection Technology of Fracturing High Pressure Pipe Manifold
Participating Enterprise: CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited, Changqing Downhole Technical Service Company
Award Received: Third Prize of the Science and Technology Progress Award
Achievement Level: International Advanced Level
Project Number: ECF-2025-SET-1016
Main Participants: Bai Mingwei, Che Haoyang, Chai Long, Zhang Tiejun, Li Zefeng, Zhong Xinrong, Kou Quan, Liu Rusi, Zhou Chuyang
Expert Review Comments:
International advanced level. This project addresses key challenges in fracturing field operations, such as complex high-pressure manifold layouts, time-consuming connections, and high safety risks. It innovatively developed modular layout and efficient connection technologies, forming a fracturing wellhead quick plug-in/out device, a multi-degree-of-freedom large-diameter manifold system, and flexible pipeline structures. These technologies enable efficient, safe, and standardized operations under various fracturing process conditions.
The project integrates remote control, video assistance, and digital full life-cycle management systems, greatly enhancing the automation and intelligence levels of fracturing construction. The results have been widely applied in the Changqing, Xinjiang, Daqing, and Dagang oilfields, significantly improving construction efficiency, reducing labor intensity and safety risks, and achieving remarkable economic and social benefits. This provides strong technical support for the intelligent upgrading of fracturing construction technology.
Main Innovations:
The modular layout and efficient connection technology for fracturing high-pressure manifolds includes wellhead quick plug-in/out devices for fracturing, multi-degree-of-freedom large-diameter fracturing manifolds, flexible fracturing pipes and manifold systems, and modular high- and low-pressure manifold systems suitable for different operational processes such as fracturing and coiled tubing staged fracturing.
It also integrates full life-cycle digital management, remote control, video assistance, and remote ball-dropping intelligent systems. The application of this technology enables rapid, efficient, and safe connection and operation of high-pressure manifolds on large fracturing platforms, achieving an overall international advanced level.
Main Uses and Technical Principles:
Based on the technical characteristics of different fracturing processes, a series of key technologies have been developed, including fracturing wellhead quick plug-in/out devices, flexible fracturing manifold systems, carbon dioxide fracturing manifolds, annular sand-adding fracturing high-pressure manifolds, auxiliary supporting systems, and digital management systems.
Together, these form a complete set of key technologies for fast manifold connection in multi-well fracturing operations.
The innovations include:
Platform-based rapid well-to-well switching technology for fracturing operations;
Flexible fracturing manifold systems and site layout technologies suitable for multi-well fracturing;
Modular functional manifold systems adaptable to different fracturing processes;
Rapid connection technologies for multi-well fracturing manifolds.
These advancements enable digital full life-cycle management of high-pressure manifolds from manufacturing to operation and maintenance, significantly improving reservoir stimulation efficiency, reducing operational costs, and enhancing the quality and effectiveness of reservoir reconstruction.
Technical Applications:
From 2020 to 2023, a total of 68 sets of modular manifold systems were successfully promoted and applied. In the Longdong region, they were applied in 840 wells across formations such as Chang 7 shale oil, deep gas, thin gas layers, tight oil, and bauxite-bearing strata. Large-scale applications were also achieved in 1,332 wells across unconventional reservoir stimulation sites, including the Ordos tight gas, Xinjiang Mahu shale oil, Daqing Gulong shale oil, Dagang shale gas, and Shanxi coalbed methane fields.
In total, the technology has been applied in 2,172 wells, covering multiple process types such as fracturing, acidizing, and CO₂ fracturing.
Field conditions included minimum temperatures of –21°C, maximum flow rates of 20.0 m³/min, and maximum operating pressures of 83.7 MPa. All modular functional manifolds operated stably, with the overall footprint of high- and low-pressure manifolds reduced by 27%, the number of high-pressure valves reduced by 75.5%, and manifold connection efficiency improved by more than 50%.
Overall, the project has significantly enhanced operational safety and efficiency, providing strong technical support for oil and gas exploration, development, and rapid production increase, and has made a positive contribution to the economic and social development of Gansu Province.
