1 -Introduction

The crud oil production cycle begins with the well.

Wells are either
naturally flowing, where the reservoir has sufficient
dynamic pressure to force the well fluids to the
surface with well head pressure sufficient to move
the well fluid to the process equipment.
Equipped with artificial lift equipment to raise the
well fluids to the surface .
After an oil or gas discovery has been made, there
is an enormous amount of evaluation and planning to
be done before an energy company can decide on the
best way to produce the hydrocarbons and develop
the field.
There are four key technical areas where important
decisions will have to be made and these will
 KEY IMPRTANT FACTORS
• How should the reservoir be developed?
What should be the design of the
production and injection wells?
• What should be the design of the
production facilities?
• Which is the best export route for the
oil and gas?
 WELLHEADS AND FLOW CONTROL
EQUIPMENT
•
• Wellheads provide the control mechanisms
between down hole and surface equipment .
• As the well is drilled, casing is placed at
intervals specified by the well design .
• The casing setting depth can be determined
by abnormally pressured zones, lost
circulation zones, sticky formations, or
various other reasons as dictated by
specific situations.
• Wellhead designs must be capable of
withstanding wide ranges of temperature and
pressure, as well as various corrosive agents.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Specification
5A for wellhead equipment is the primary
standard for this product line. The standard
mainly provides information for basic design
guidelines .API 6A establishes the basic
requirements for end connections, materials, test
procedures, and pressure ratings so equipment
made by various manufacturers will work
together. .each well has one or more casing
heads spool (surface casing and production
casing).Figure 1 shown a typical conventional
wellhead.
Typical Well Head
Conventional pumped well
 Wing valve

Wellhead Choke
assembly

Dual
master
valves

Tubing hanger

Tubing
head

Casing
head

Braden
head
Casing
strings Tubing
 Well Components
‘Angel’
Wellhead monitors
and controls well ‘Christmas tree’
pressures

Tubing

Casing
Packers

Perforations
Wellhead

Tubing head
Suspend
casing and
tubing in well
Casing head
 Wellhead
Wing valve
Controls
production Master valve
line Stops fluid flow,
shutting in well

To production
equipment Casing valve
 Wellhead
Pressure gauges

Choke Tee

To production
equipment
 3.0 Production system

• In general wells are either naturally flowing, or

artificially lifted. When the reservoir has sufficient
dynamic pressure to lift the well fluids to the surface
with well head pressure sufficient to move the well fluid
to the process equipment, the well is called naturally
flowing well. Figure 3 shown surface and subsurface
component for vertical single completion flowing well.
• When the reservoir pressure are not capable to lift the
desired production rate to surface with well head
pressure enough to move the well fluid to the process,
the are equipped with artificial lift equipment. ..
 TYPES OF WELL HEAD
• High-Pressure Wellhead Assemblies
• Low-Pressure Wellhead Assemblies
High-Pressure Wellhead Assemblies
• Good engineering practice specifies that, wellheads
and trees be manufactured and made of materials in
accordance with API Standard 6E, now designated
6A.
• Standard high-pressure flanged casingheads, in most
cases, are at least 3000 psi working pressure.
• The size was selected because
(1) most blowout preventers are 3000 psi working
pressure or higher and will therefore fit the 3000 psi
flanged heads with a minimum of flanged adapters;
(2) the difference in cost between most 2000 and
3000 psi working pressure flanged heads is small;
(3) it reduces inventory on wellheads and parts.
Another factor which has 'entered the picture is the
possible use of stimulation methods that will require
surface pressures in excess of 2000 psi.
 Low-Pressure Wellhead Assemblies
•
• During recent years, the use of low-pressure heads
became more prevalent because of an increased
drilling effort in low-pressure areas and the doubtful
economics of using a piece of equipment too large and
more expensive than justifiably required. Figure .I-T
is a 960 psi working pressure tubing head.
• This same design is used in a 2,000 psi working
pressure head. This head may also be used as a
casinghead on Cubingless completions.
• The top flange fits low-pressure, 6-inch preventers.
It also incorporates a low-price threaded hanger. is a
different type of low-pressure head that is used
quite frequently in some areas.
• This is a more versatile head in chat single or multiple
strings can be set by using the proper hangers. An
adapter flange can be screwed to the top for
attaching a blowout preventer for drilling.
 Christmas trees
• The group of valves placed on top of the
wellhead for controlling the flow of oil
and gas from the well is called a
christmas tree
• .Christmas trees, like wellheads, are
considered high pressure when shut-in
pressures exceed 1,000 psi .
• Either threaded or flanged 2,000 psi
working pressure trees can be used .
 Wellhead Pressure Ratings at Elevated
Temperatures
• The comparatively recent introduction of steam
injection for well stimulation necessitated the
need for pressure ratings of wellheads and
associated equipment at temperatures in excess
of 250° F.
• In recognition of these requirements, the API
has recently established pressure-temperature
ratings for metallic parts in wellheads, valves
and fittings. These valves shown in Table 1.
 Pressure temperature ratings of metallic parts of API wellheads,
valves and flanges
T -20 to 300o 350o 400o 450o 500o 550o 600o 650o
,
250o
F

2000 1995 1905 1860 1810 1735 1635 1540 1430

3000 2930 2860 2785 2715 2605 2455 2310 2145

5000 4880 4765 4645 4525 4340 4090 3850 3575

 FLOW CONTROL EQUIPMENT

• Equipment for surface control of the

flow of fluids from producing wells
includes
• (1) chokes,
• (2) safety valves that close either by
high or low flowline pressure or by
remote signal, and
• (3) pressure regulators
 Chokes
• Definition and Usage.
• A choke is a device which -is installed in a flow
scream to control the flow rate of produced well
fluids. Some of the reasons for controlling
producing rates are:
• (1) Government-regulated (prorated)
production,
• (2) Prevention of possible formation damage
such as water coning, and
• (3) Reduction of flowing pressure Co permit the
use of lower working pressure lines and
equipment.
 Types of Chokes.
• The two main classifications of chokes; are :
• 1-positive or fixed, and
• 2- adjustable. Adjustable chokes utilize a variable
orifice which is controlled by a hand wheel or
handle.
• Positive chokes have a fixed orifice dimension
which may be replaceable.
• The bodies of both types of chokes are L-shaped.
End connections can be fully flanged, fully
threaded, or a combination flanged-threaded
design. The major parts of a choke are )1( :body,
(2) removable flow bean, (3) plug or cap for
servicing flow bean of fixed chokes, (4) stem of
adjustable chokes, and (5) bonnet for servicing
internal parts of adjustable chokes
 Advantages of Positive Chokes -
• Utilization of this type of choke is
advantageous under the following
operating conditions:
• (I) fairly constant flow rates,
• (2) adequate (both technically and
amount) labour supply,
• (3) erosive and/or corrosive effects of
the produced fluids are minimal, and
• (4) adequate stock of various sizes of
flow beans.
 Disadvantages of Positive Chokes

• Some of the disadvantages of fixed

chokes are:
• (1) inability to adjust flow rates
without removing the choke from
service,
• (2) could require stocking of many sizes
of flow beans, and
• (3) frequent flow bean changes to
maintain the desired flow rates
 Adjustable Choke Usage
• Adjustable chokes are seldom used for well flow
regulation in areas of sand production because it
quickly erodes the needle valve point and seat. .
• This type of choke is of particular advantage
during the initial production and testing of a well.
Discrepancies in sizing can be corrected without
taking the choke out of service.
• Variable orifice chokes are more economical than
the fixed type where producing rates change often
Factors that cause producing changes are:
• 1. Market demand.
• 2. Make-up requirements when other wells are
shut-in for various reasons such as remedial work,
mechanical failures etc. This is especially
important during periods of peak demand.
• 3. Changing reservoir and fluid characteristics
such as increased free water production, increased
gas-oil ratio, declining bottom-hole pressure, etc,
• 4. Erosion and/or corrosion of the flow bean or
choke body will change the orifice diameter, which
will increase the producing rate above the desired
amount. This correction can be made without
removing the choke from service, whereas a
positive choke would require a new flow bean of
the correct size
 The advantages of using an adjustable

• The advantages of using an adjustable choke

are:
• 1. Sizing errors can be corrected without
changing the orifice.
• 2. Allows standardization of orifices with a
single size or a few sizes which are applicable
over a wide range of flow rates.
• 3. Provides an adjustment range during
erosion and/or corrosion attack of the orifice
area.
 The limitations of the adjustable choke are
listed below:
• 1. Initial costs are approximately 50% more than a positive
• choke for the same application.
• 2. It is not designed to provide a full shut off; as a gate valve for
example. Since this is true in most applications, the fixed orifice
choke is as good as the adjustable in this manner.
• 3. Impingement of produced fluids on the stem of this type of
choke may cause adjustment problems.
• 4. Production of fluids carrying solid particles such as sand or
granite wash may erode the more expensive adjustable choke
body and internal parts just as rapidly as the positive type. This is
a case where the less expensive choice is more economical than
the other.
 Important factors in sizing
a choke:
• The following is a list of some of the more
important factors in sizing a choke:
• 1. Pressure. Wellhead shut-in pressure determines
the rated pressure of the choke. Inlet and outlet
choke pressures for specific fluids are necessary
parameters which must be known before a design
can be initiated.
• 2. Produced fluid volumes. Gas-oil ratio, water
cut, and knowledge of specific gravities of each
fluid are the other factors which affect choke
sizing.
• 3. Less important, but some of the factors which
should be considered, are sand production,
paraffin problems, corrosion. hydrate formation,
flowing temperatures, etc.
• Technical Data on Choke Sizing -
 Safety Controls
• Reason for use of safety controls. Automatic shut-in
equipment for producing oil and gas wells can be
installed downhole and/or on the well- head. This
safety equipment is necessary if it is desired to
automatically shut off well flow in case of a blowout
and/or fire. In addition to the extreme costs involved
in controlling a blowout, such disasters can:
• (1) damage the producing reservoir.
• (2) destroy surface equipment and surrounding
property, and
• (3) imperil the safety of company personnel or other
individuals. Another important economic consideration
is the lost production until normal operations are
restored.
• Blowouts and "wild" wells can. result from
surface equipment failures or sabotage.
Examples of incidents causing surface
equipment failures are (1) sand-laden fluid
eroding a hole in a choke or flow tee,
• (2) flow line nr sales line break,
• (3) separator or treater malfunction, or
• (4) wellhead failure as a result of being
struck by a truck (on shore) or a boat or
anchor (offshore).
 Types of Well Safety Valves

• . Two main classifications of-well shut- in valves

are (1) downhole or Cubing safety valves, and (2)
surface valves. Also, these valves are controlled
directly by sensing pressure or can be hydraulically
(remote) controlled.
• Use of High low Pressure Surface
Safety Valves. High- or low-
pressure safety valves generally
installed at the Christmas tree are
used to shut- in flowing wells
automatically when the flow-line
pressure increases or decrease
 VALVES
Types of valves:
• 1-Gate valve
• 2-Check valve
• 3-Ball valve
• 4-Globe valve
• 5-Angle valve
• 6-Needle valve
• 7- Special valves
Safety &relief valve
 Gate Valves:
• The gate valve is used to completely open
or close a flow line.
• Partially opening the valve may cause the
corrosion and wearing of the gate, which in
turn causes valve leakage.
• The valve is operated manually, when
rotating the hand-wheel to the left
(counter clock wise), the gate go up
allowing the fluid to pass by the valve and
when rotating to the opposite direction,
the gate go down to the flow pass and
prevent anymore fluid passage.
• Note: the valve should be cleaned of any
dust, which can be precipitated around the
stem, and in the body seat, otherwise the
valve will not close correctly .
 Check Valves:

The purpose of the check valve is to allow

the passage of flow in only one direction.
The pressurized flow acts against the disc
and opens it allowing the fluid to pass by.
When the flow stops for any reason, the
disc returns to its original position under
the effect of the backpressure, thus
closing the valve.
 Ball Valves:

• The ball valve is used in most of the

choking operations and It is usually
used with the automatic control valves,
so that if that latter stopped working
for any reason, the flow control is
done by using the ball valve. A bypass
line is prepared for this purpose. That
might also help in the removal of the
automatic control valve and its repair.
 Globe Valves:
In this kind of valves, the flow is not
straight lined, but it passes from the
bottom of the disc and exits from the
side of the valve.
It is used to control the flow in a
predetermined point in the flow line or
in lateral lines because the control of
the flow in this case doesn’t affect
the valve. The valve is closed or
 Angle Valves:
The angle valve effectively utilizes globe valve
seating principle while providing for a 90 degree turn
in piping. It is less resisting to flow than the globe
valve. It has considerably reduced turbulence,
restriction of flow, and pressure drop because flow
makes one less change of direction than in globe
valve. The size of the opening between the disc and
its seat is directly proportional to the rotation of the
hand-wheel, thus an operator can control the flow
rate by the number of rotations that he applies to the
hand-wheel.
 Needle Valves:
Needle point valves are designed to give
fine control of flow in small diameter
piping. Stem threads are finer than usual
so that considerable movement of stem
is required to increase or decrease
opening through seat. Usually, these
valves have reduced seat diameter in
.relation to pipe size
 Special valves:

Safety & Relief Valves, Guard Against Over-

Pressure.
Safety and relief valves prevent equipment
damage by relieving accidental over-pressure.
Most safety and relief valves are spring-loaded
to operate at a set pressure but weighted levers
or a combination of levers and springs may also
provide the load. In any case, valve loading is
adjustable so a fine degree of control is
obtained.
 Safety Valves:

They are for compressible fluids – steam

and/or other gases. This compressibility
demands quick over-pressure relief. So
safety valves have pop seats and plugs
which open rapidly on over-pressure,
relieving at full flow. They may discharge
fluids to atmosphere or back to the
system .
 Relief Valves:

• They handle non-compressible

fluids/liquids such as water and oil.
Immediate full flow discharge is not needed
since a very small flow significantly reduces
over-pressure. So plug and seat open and
close slowly, discharging back to some low-
pressure point in the system to conserve
the liquid.
 Typical flowing well
Wellhead
To production equipment

Tubing

Casing

Sliding sleeve

Packer

Perforations
Hydrocarbons