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12/11/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) Instrumentation Tools
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Basics of
Wellhead
Control Panel
(WHCP)
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WHCP: Wellhead Control Panel
WHCPs are also known as Shutdown Panels

(SDP), Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD)
or Hydraulic Safety Shutdown System
(HSSS). These are failsafe shutdown
systems which have
pneumatic/hydraulic/electric components;
WHCPs can also be integrated with PLC/
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
RTU/ SCADA. WHCPs are standalone control
if you wish. Accept Read More
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systems as well as an interface between the

plant control and the wellhead safety
system. WHCPs are used for monitoring,
controlling (Remote/Local) and safe
shutdown of Subsurface Controlled Safety
Valves (SCSSV), Surface Safety Valves (SSV),
and other wellhead safety valves (Choke,
ESD, HIPPS) in oil & gas production fields to
ensure safe operation of unattended
wells/platforms.
WHCPs may have multiple applications,

which include, but are not limited to
Safe and Sequential Operation of

Wellhead Valves (SCSSV/SSV/Wing Etc.)
Emergency and Fire Shutdown
Safe Operation of Riser Valves
Flow line Pressure control
Well Test Operation
HIPPS /ESD/ Choke Valve Control
Partial Stroking
Overview of Wellhead Control Panel
Gas wells and oil wells has a high potential

hazard, either because the material ejected
flammable nor the potential hazard of the
gas pressure is high. Wellhead control panel
is key equipment in oil & gas industry to
protect oilfield facilities and environment
from occurring wellhead fire and
emergency incidents, which is one of main
if you wish. control
Accept systems
Read More to ensure oilfield oil
production and transportation to be safely

operation according to international
standards and national regulation.Its
function is to shut down the well in case
conditions that harm or for other
interventions as well as the work test, etc.
Wellhead control panel is composed of

hydraulic power unit (HPU), tubing & fitting
and instrument valve and electrical control
devices. HPU supply hydraulic resource to
open and close SSVs including MSSV, WSSV
and SCSSV.
The level of complexity of each well head

control panel vary, each company has its
own standard. So the definition of well head
control panel in General will certainly vary,
the definition of well head control panel if
we review of its functionality is part of the
surface facilities of the gas well or an oil
well that is used to control well, like: be it to
shutdown system, the casing pressure
if you wish.
reading
Accept
parameters,
Read More
tubing pressure
reading parameters, temperature well

parameters. So to open or close a Wing
Valve (WV), Master Valve (MV), as well as
Down Hole Safety Valve (DHSV) can be
through the Wellhead control panel.
Generally inside wellhead control panel
consists of control pneumatic or
hydraulic. Control pneumatic or hydraulic
composed of tubing and three way valve.
Here I will only discuss WHCP from gas

wells, as I understand. Function or
application WHCP depending of each type
of wellhead control panel. It is a simple
system, until there is a tricky. If it can be
inferred is actually a function of well head
control panel is to operate well, be it for
shut in and POP (put on production). With
the wellhead control panel we able to open
or closed the DHSV via the push button in
panel. Also we can open or close a master
valve or wing valve with push button in the
panel as well. It was all done manually, by
pressing or pulling a push button. But to
close the DHSV, Master valve, Wing Valve
can be done automatically, namely through
the integration with shutdown system from
the well. Surely this should follow the
philosophy of the shutdown system used by
each company .

By looking at the picture, it will give an

overview of what functionality or usability
of the wellhead control panels. The
components are visible in the picture can
be grouped into:
All of these components will give feedback

or as a input signal to the Wellhead control
panel (WHCP). While in the well itself
(flowline) there is a sensor that is used to
monitor the condition of the well, either to
shutdown the system, or just for readability
only.
Instrumentation for shutdown system

e.g.:
PALL (pressure switch low low)

PAHH (pressure switch high high)
The Fusible plug (for detection of fires),
usually mounted above fangles, or
parts that there is a possibility of leaks
(the source of fire)

The instrumentation used for reading,

for example:
FR (flow recorder) or Flow Indicator

PR (pressure recorder) or Pressure
indicator
TR (temperature recorder) or
Temperature Indicator
The Final element of the system

shutdown:
DHSV, Down hole Safety valve ( drived

by hydraulic power)
MV, master valve (drived by hydraulic
power)
SSV, surface safety valve (drived by
pneumatic power)
Choke valve, manually operated
SDV (shutdown valve) installed in flow
line of well, outside the part of the
wellhead (X-mastree)
Valves are a part of which will receive

command of the signal to be opened or
closed from Wellhead control panel. So if I
can give analogical WHCP is a controller (a
control system), SSV, MV, DHSV, SDV are the
part that receives the output from the
controller, while the PALL, PAHH, fusible
plug is the input of the controller. But don’t
imagine WHCP like PLC in General. WHCP I
discuss
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
if you wish. pneumatic
Accept or hydraulic.
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Why WHCP generally use pneumatic

control, because most of the well gas wells
far location (remote) so hard to find sources
of energy such as electricity. And generally
WHCP from gas wells using gas from the
well itself as a source of pneumatic power.
Later will be discussed where the
pneumatic power source to run the WHCP.
With pneumatic power from gas, we can
also have hydraulic power, i.e. by install the
hydraulic pump on run by pneumatic
power. Hydraulic power is used to run valve
actuator which relatively large power
needs. Pneumatic-powered convert
hydraulic power can become larger by
using the pump.
The Problems That Often Arise in

Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP)
From the various experiences,

The problems that often arise in WHCP are
leaking, popping, and stuck. Commonly
Leaking occurred in the connection of nuts
on tubing. It could be leaking at a three way
valve components. To this we can issue
leaked retighten the bolts or given a Teflon
sealant. If for three way valve usually
replace the internal parts like its o ring,
whereas in order to overcome stuck at
three way valve do greasing of internal
plunger. Stuck in a 3 way valve because it is
if you wish.
dirty or arid.
Accept Read More
For ordinary problems popping occurs at

PSV. PSV is safety equipment to handle
excess pressure. Each panel of a pneumatic
or hydraulic there must have been his PSV.
Just like in the WHCP. When there is an
excess pressure, PSV will popping, to
release the excess pressure. When it was
popping PSV unbiased back to its normal
position, the problem is often the case. To
fix this we clean the inside and then check
the setting.
One of the disadvantages of pneumatic

systems which use hydrocarbon gas as a
source of power instrument is if the liquid
into a pneumatic system. This will cause
three-way valve not working well. If the
wrong selection of the material, example
the O ring not resistant with hydrocarbon
substances, will certainly damage the o ring
itself.
Main Function of WHCP
Local On/Off SSV
Remote control SSV through RTU
High-Low pressure sense shut-down

automatically.
Fusible Plug, Anti-fire Shut-down

automatically.

SSV can not be opened unless local reset

after shutoff
Function of showing system pressure
Relief Valve shall be installed on each

hydraulic circuit to prevent high pressure
Function of showing hydraulic level and

level switch for alarm
Function of defending pressure impact of

system
Function of defending exorbitant

pressure
Function of system pressure

monitoring(by pressure transmitter of
control panel)
Function of remote emergency shut-

down (by magnetic valve of control panel)
Function of On/Off SSV monitoring (by

pressure switch of control loop of control
panel)
Function of shield High-low pressure

sense
Types of WHCP
Single wellhead Control Panel
wellhead control panel is used for

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well Surface but you cansub-
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surface safety valve (SCSSV), Master SSV

and Wing SSV. SSVs can be shutdown
automatically and manually by WHCP to
response all kind of emergency situation.
Single well control panel is categorized

the following system according to driven
resource:
Manual control system

Electrical control system
Pneumatic control system
Solar powered control system
Manual control system
Feature and Function: Manual hydraulic

pump supply hydraulic control and output
pressure for SSV. Main function includes
Remote ESD, Fusible plugs, low pressure /
high pressure sensing, Manual shutdown at
panel.
Electrical control system
Feature and Function: Electrical motor

driven hydraulic pump with manual pump
as standby will supply hydraulic to control
SSV. Main function includes Remote ESD,
Fusible plugs, low pressure / high pressure
sensing, Manual shutdown at panel.
Pneumatic control system


Feature
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hydraulic pump with manual pump as
standby will supply hydraulic to control SSV.

Main function includes Remote ESD, Fusible
plugs, low pressure / high pressure sensing,
Manual shutdown at panel.
Solar powered control system
Solar powered control system is designed

to be used for wellhead control located
remote area and desert area.
Feature and Function :Energy

conservation, Reduce operation expense,
Duel power supply, Standard control
feature
Main function includes RTU shutdown；

Fusible plugs；Low pressure/high
pressure；Local Manual control
Multi-wellhead Control Panel
Each control module is drawable and can

be inter-replaceable without any
interruption of other well operation.
Common module include oil reservoir,
Pneumatic hydraulic pump and standby
manual pump.

Main function shows as following: Remote

RTU shutdown; Fire fusible plugs
protection, Low pressure / high pressure
sensing, Manual control at panel.
Well Head Control Panel Working

Principle
It is very common in the oil & gas plant to

control its oil or gas well through a wellhead
control panel (usually called WHCP). Each
well is always equipped with a SCSSV
(Surface Controlled Sub-surface Safety
Valves) or usually it is called as down hole
valve (DHV) and a SSV (Surface Safety
Valves) which is consist of a Master Valves
(MV) and Wing Valves (WV). SCSSV in most
application is an on-off valve with hydraulic
actuators. While SSV can be driven by
hydraulic actuator or pneumatic actuator
depends on the pressure rating. It is also a
need to open or close SCSSV and SSV in
sequence and accommodate an Emergency
Shutdown signal from the systems. So what
are WHCP and its essential component?
This article tries to explain the WHCP
systems in general application and how it
works.
WHCP systems usually consist of hydraulic

reservoir, strainer, hydraulic pumps,
accumulator, wellhead control module, and

hydraulic
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to wellhead control module. Any other parts

except wellhead control module are
classified into basic cabinet. Each control
module is built up dedicated for one well
only. Therefore if there are 5 well in a
wellhead platform, then there will be 1
basic cabinet and 5 wellhead control
module needed.
First part of WHCP is a hydraulic reservoir.

This reservoir contains hydraulic fluid in
sufficient quantity to operate each
wellhead. The size of reservoir is determine
through an estimation of hydraulic fluid
needed to operate each actuator, possible
leakage, distance from the well, and an
additional safety factor. Usually the
hydraulic reservoir is an atmospheric tank
with a flame arrestor venting.
To build up a hydraulic header (high or

medium pressure) the WHCP utilize a
hydraulic pump. In general the SCSSV will
operate at high pressure rating and SSV will
operate at medium pressure rating. Thus
there will be two hydraulic headers at
WHCP with its own hydraulic pump. The
hydraulic pump can be pneumatic driven or
electric driven depends on criticality and
operation area. All hydraulic pump suction
will have a strainer to filter the hydraulic
fluid from any particulate so that the
if you wish.
hydraulic
Accept
fluid goes to SCSSV or SSV is
Read More
clean. To make the hydraulic demand from

SCSSV or SSV achievable, the downstream
of the hydraulic pump (hydraulic header) is
equipped with an accumulator. It helps the
hydraulic pump to supply quickly the
hydraulic demand. This arrangement
(reservoir, hydraulic pumps, and
accumulator) usually is called as a hydraulic
power pack or a hydraulic power unit.
After the hydraulic fluid accumulated at the

hydraulic header (both high pressure and
medium pressure) then it’s ready to supply
each wellhead control module. Usually the
line from hydraulic header to wellhead
control module is called a hydraulic supply
lines. At this wellhead control module, the
sequence and logic to operate the SCSSV
and SSV is built up. The ESD signal mainly
also goes to this module. When it needs to
open the SCSSV and SSV, it supplies the
high pressure or medium pressure
hydraulic fluid to the SCSSV and SSV. In case
there is a need to close it down, the
hydraulic fluid supply will close and the
hydraulic fluid will goes to a hydraulic
return line through a three way valves
selector. This hydraulic return line will goes
to the hydraulic reservoir again.
From this general explanation we can

conclude that the wellhead control panel
if you wish.
(WHCP)
Accept
is Read
a hydraulic
More
system that utilizes a
hydraulic power pack and a wellhead

control module to perform its task. The
output of WHCP is high pressure hydraulic
supply and medium hydraulic supply to
operate SCSSV and SSV. Wellhead control
panel is also the interface between the
plant control and safety system with the
SCSSV and SSV systems.
Also Read: Overview of HIPPS System
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12/11/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) Instrumentation Tools

Articles Hand Job PLC

Home » Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP)

WHCP: Wellhead Control Panel

WHCPs are also known as Shutdown Panels

systems as well as an interface between the

WHCPs may have multiple applications,

Safe and Sequential Operation of

Overview of Wellhead Control Panel

Gas wells and oil wells has a high potential

production and transportation to be safely

Wellhead control panel is composed of

The level of complexity of each well head

reading parameters, temperature well

Here I will only discuss WHCP from gas

By looking at the picture, it will give an

All of these components will give feedback

Instrumentation for shutdown system

PALL (pressure switch low low)

The instrumentation used for reading,

FR (flow recorder) or Flow Indicator

The Final element of the system

DHSV, Down hole Safety valve ( drived

Valves are a part of which will receive

Why WHCP generally use pneumatic

The Problems That Often Arise in

From the various experiences,

For ordinary problems popping occurs at

One of the disadvantages of pneumatic

Main Function of WHCP

Local On/Off SSV

Remote control SSV through RTU

High-Low pressure sense shut-down

Fusible Plug, Anti-fire Shut-down

SSV can not be opened unless local reset

Function of showing system pressure

Relief Valve shall be installed on each

Function of showing hydraulic level and

Function of defending pressure impact of

Function of defending exorbitant

Function of system pressure

Function of remote emergency shut-

Function of On/Off SSV monitoring (by

Function of shield High-low pressure

Single wellhead Control Panel

wellhead control panel is used for

surface safety valve (SCSSV), Master SSV

Single well control panel is categorized

Manual control system

Manual control system

Feature and Function: Manual hydraulic

Electrical control system

Feature and Function: Electrical motor

Pneumatic control system

standby will supply hydraulic to control SSV.

Solar powered control system

Solar powered control system is designed

Feature and Function :Energy

Main function includes RTU shutdown；

Multi-wellhead Control Panel

Each control module is drawable and can

Main function shows as following: Remote

Well Head Control Panel Working