Chokes

• Types
• Reasons
• Basics of Operations
• Application
 Most Common Chokes
• Positive:
– Fixed orifice
– Disassemble to change bean
• Adjustable
– Provides variable orifice size through external
adjustment
 Schematic of an
adjustable choke

Restriction

A choke is a restriction in a
flow line that causes a
pressure drop or reduces the
rate of flow. It commonly
uses a partially blocked
orifice or flow path.
Variable Chokes - good
for bringing wells on
gradually and
optimizing natural gas
lift flow in some cases.

Prone to washouts from

high velocity, particles,
droplets.

Solutions - hardened
chokes (carbide
components), chokes in
series, dual chokes on
Beans are fixed (non adjustable) orifices – ID size is in 64ths of an inch.

ID
 Choke Uses
• Control Flow – achieve liquid lift
• Maximize use – best use of gas (lift?)
• Protect equipment – abrasion and erosion
• Cleanup – best use of backflow energy
• Control circulation – holds a back pressure
• Control pressures at surface (during flow)
• Control injection – on injection line
 Pressure Drop
• Action
– Increased velocity (from
gas expansion)
– Vaporization (flashing) of
light ends to gas
– Vaporization of water
– Cavitation
– Cooling of gas
– Some heating of liquids
• Detriments
– Flashing – hydrocarbon
light ends lost (value lost)
– Cavitation – erosion of
surfaces in and around
choke
– Erosion– solids, droplets
and bubbles in high velocity
flow
– Freezing – expansion of
gasses cools the area –
refrigeration principle
Pressure around the choke

Inlet or well
pressure, P1
Pressure drop through
the orifice

Pressure “recovery” , P2
 Problems
• The larger the difference between the inlet
and outlet pressures, the higher the potential
for damage to the internals of the choke.
• When DP ratio (= DP/P1) rises above 0.6,
damage is likely. Look at choke type,
materials of construction, and deployment
methods (multiple chokes needed in series?)
Cavitation During Liquid Flow

Ultra low pressure region in and

immediately below choke causes bubble
to form from vaporizing liquid, Recovery
of pressure causes bubble to collapse; i.e.,
cavitation

Imploding The rapid collapse of the bubbles

bubbles causes high velocity movement of
and shock liquid and damage around the site.
waves
Pressure recovery line – limit of damage
 VENA Contracta Phenomenon

P
r P1
e Delta P
s
P2
s
u Recovery
r
e
Distance Flow Traveled

The consequences of the low pressure region in the choke can lead to
severe problems with cavitation and related flashing (vaporization).
Flashing During Liquid Flow

Vaporization of light ends, but no

significant damage in this region since
pressure recovery not above vapor
pressure, hence bubbles don’t collapse.

Pressure recovery occurs downstream,

damage location from high velocity?
 Freezing
• Expansion of gas (and solutions containing gas)
cools the surroundings. Excessive temp losses and
presence of water vapor can form an ice plug and
block flow.
P1 T1
Temperature drop
Press across a choke is
Temperature
Freezing Pt about 1oF for
dP
T2 P2 each atmosphere
Recovery
Recovery of pressure drop.

Distance Traveled
 Throttling Methods
• Needle and seat
• Multiple orifice
• Fixed Bean
• Plug and Cage
• External Sleeve
 Needle and Seat
• Simplest and least expensive adjustable
• Best for pressure control
• High Capacity
 Multiple Orifice
• Quick open and close
• Good rate and pressure control
• An in-line instrument
 Fixed Bean
• Best when infrequent change needed
• Used mostly on trees
 Plug and Cage
• High capacity
• Good control
 External Sleeve
• Superior Erosion Resistance
• Minimizes Body Erosion
 Choke Sizing
• Control the flow – maximize production
• Minimized vibration damage
• Minimize erosion damage

• Choke Selection – based on application and

sizing.
 Choke Selection (continued)
• Fluid – liquid, gas, or GOR of mix.
• Pressure – both pressure drop and total
pressure
• Temperature – range of acceptable
temperatures during service
• Solids in flow
• Droplets, bubbles
• Scale and organic deposit potential
 Choke Sizing
• Cv = coefficient value
– Number of gallons of water per minute that will
pass through a restriction with a pressure drop
of 1 psi at 60oF.
– Used as the “flow capacity index”
– Does not correspond to a specific throttling
method.
Choke Choke Size Bore Diam Choke Coefficient
Calculation (inches) (inches) MCF/D/PSIA
Example 4/64 0.0625 0.08
6/64 0.0938 0.188
Note: for
accuracy – the 7/64 0.1094 0.261
upstream press
must be twice 8/64 0.1250 0.347
downstream
press. 9/64 0.1406 0.444
10/64 0.1563 0.553
12/64 0.1865 0.802
16/64 0.2500 1.470
24/64 0.3750 3.400
32/64 0.5000 6.260
Example: a well is flowing through a 10/64 choke at 2175 psig WHP.
What is the dry gas flow rate?
2175 psig = 2190 psia. Choke coeff. for 10/64 = 0.553
Gas rate = 2190 x 0.553 = 1211 mcf/d
Flow rate estimation by the pressure
and choke size for dry gas.
Qest. = 24 * (P1+15) * Choke size2/1000
For a tubing pressure of 4000 psi and a 24/64”
choke, the gas flow estimate is:
Qest. = (24 * (4000+15) * (0.375)2 ) / 1000
Qest. = 13 to 14 mmscf/d
 Erosion - damage caused by impingement of particles, droplets,
bubbles and even liquid on any solid surface at high velocity.

To reduce erosion, slow down the velocity.

A choke is required for throttling, never

use a gate valve. If wells must be brought
on line without a choke, use the outer wing
valve if rated for the job.

Partly open valve – an erosion area

Erosion in a positive of bean
choke from micron sized
fines and high velocity gas
flow.
Typical flow patterns (and
erosion) in a bean choke.
Erosion at the exit
flange

JPT, March 1998

The velocity profile and pressure drop across a choke with a large
pressure drop – opportunity for erosion is very high.

JPT, March 1998

One solution to the problem is to take the pressure drop in series and
hold a slight backpressure. For example, a 1000 to 0 psi pressure drop
produces a 68 fold expansion in gas volume, while a 1500 to 500 psi
pressure drop produces a 3 fold gas volume expansion.

JPT, March 1998

 Quiz – Choke Sizing
• A dry gas well flows at 12 mmscf/d with a
well head pressure of 2200 psi. Select a
choke size and a down stream pressure that
will allow flow but not create damage
through the choke.