Materials System Specification

04-SAMSS-054 11 October 2010

General Requirements for Chokes
Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Definitions....................................................... 4
5 Notes to Purchaser......................................... 4
6 General........................................................... 5
7 Design and Dimensions................................. 6
8 Materials....................................................... 10
9 Performance Requirement........................... 11
10 Operators (General)..................................... 12
11 Quality Requirements................................... 13
12 Painting and Coating.................................... 14
13 Marking......................................................... 14
14 Preparation for Shipment............................. 14

Previous Issue: 7 October 2009 Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 14
Primary contact: Harbi, Mousa Rashed on 966-3-8760169

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2010. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

1 Scope

This Specification along with the Purchase Order covers the minimum requirements for
adjustable chokes up to and including API 10,000 psi.

Chokes covered by this specification shall be suitable for the following services (but not
be limited to); oil production, gas production, water injection, water supply and water
disposal as described in the PO documents.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSS), Engineering Standards (SAES),
Standard Drawings (SASD), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

Material or equipment supplied to this specification shall comply with the latest edition
of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard

SAES-H-002 Internal and External Coatings for Steel Pipelines
and Piping

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications

04-SAMSS-035 General Requirements for Valves
04-SAMSS-048 Valve Inspection and Testing Requirements

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

04-SAMSS-049 Inspection and Testing requirements for

API SPEC 6A, 10,000 psi Valves
34-SAMSS-716 Pneumatic Actuators On-Off Service
34-SAMSS-717 Hydraulic Valve Actuators
34-SAMSS-718 Electric Motor-Operated Valve Actuators

Saudi Aramco Inspection & Testing Requirements

Form 175-043000 Valve Materials Certification Requirements
Form 175-043600 General Metallic & Non-Metallic Valves
Form 175-043601 Low Severity, Valves

Saudi Aramco Forms and Data Sheets

6233-1-ENG Valve Data Sheet

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American National Standards Institute/Flow Control Institute

ANSI/FCI 70.2 Control Valve Seat Leakage

American Petroleum Institute

API STD 6A Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree
Equipment
API SPEC 6D Specification for Pipeline Valves (Gate, Plug,
Ball, and Check Valves)
API SPEC 6FA Specification for Fire Test for Valves

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASME B16.5 Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
ASME B16.11 Forged Fittings, Socket-Welding and Threaded
ASME B16.34 Valves-Flanged, Threaded and Welded End
ASME B46.1 Surface Texture
ASME SEC IX Qualification Standard for Welding and Brazing
Procedures, Welders, Brazers, and Welding
and Brazing Operators

Manufacturers Standardization Society

MSS SP-25 Marking System for Valves, Flanges, Fittings and
Unions

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

National Association of Corrosion Engineers

NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries –
Materials for use in H2S-Containing
Environments in Oil and Gas Production

International Organization for Standardization

ISO 9000 Quality Systems - Model for Quality Assurance in
Design/Development, Production, Installation
and Servicing
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems - Requirements

International Society of Automation

ISA 75.01 Flow Equation for Sizing Control Valves
ISA 75.02 Control Valve Procedure Capacity Test
ISA 75.07 Noise Predication
ISA 75.17 Control Valve Aerodynamic Noise Prediction

British Standards
BS EN ISO 5210:1996 Industrial Valves – Multi-turn Valve Actuator
Attachments

4 Definitions

Buyer's Representative: The person acting on behalf of the Buyer, who may be from
the Engineering, Inspection, Purchasing, Standardization or User Organization.

Valves Standards Committee Chairman (VSCC): The Saudi Aramco assigned

Engineering Specialist from Consulting Services Department, Dhahran, who originates
and is responsible for all Class 04 valve technical specifications and standards or his
delegated representative.

Responsible Standardization Agent (RSA): A Saudi Aramco organization

responsible for the technical aspects of the material/order in question.

5 Notes to Purchaser

5.1 If the Purchaser needs a choke that deviates from this specification, the
deviating requirements shall be stated in the PO.

5.2 If no exceptions are to be taken to this specification, the PO need only make
reference to this specification and specify the items included in 5.2.1. Items

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

listed in 5.2.2 are optional and may also be specified as required.

5.2.1 Items Required on the Purchase Order:

a) Valve size.
b) Pressure rating.
c) Temperature rating.
d) Ends.
e) Body material.
f) Trim material.
g) Product Specification Level (PSL).
h) Performance Requirement (PR).
i) Type of choke (needle, plug-and-cage, etc).

5.2.2 Optional Items:

a) Face-to-face dimensions.
b) Accessories.
c) Operating mechanisms other than hand wheel.

6 General

6.1 Qualification Procedure for New Vendors and New Products

6.1.1 As a minimum, all Vendors shall be required to undergo a plant survey

and an engineering evaluation of their products with respect to their
capability of meeting Saudi Aramco specifications and applicable
industry standards.

6.1.2 Proposed new valves shall have been in service with a satisfactory
performance history at different separate locations for at least five years
each. The Vendor shall provide an experience list including the names
of specific persons to contact with their telephone and Email address.

6.1.3 When requested, all manufacturers shall submit their list of sub-suppliers
who provide castings and forgings for pressure retaining components
(bodies, bonnets, etc.) to the Valves Standards Committee Chairman for
approval. The manufacturer shall not add any other casting sub-supplier
to this list without the approval of the Valves Standards Committee
Chairman.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

6.1.4 The RSA may require that the vendor's product be tested and approved
via the RSA's Trial Test Program before it is considered acceptable.

6.2 Vendor's Drawing Approval

All requirements addressed in 04-SAMSS-035 shall be met.

6.3 Welding

Welding procedures and welder performance qualifications shall be in

accordance with ASME SEC IX and API SPEC 6A.

6.4 Valve Data Sheet

Buyer's Representative shall fill out Form 6233-1-ENG for each non-SMG line
item and attach it to the Purchase Requisition/Order.

7 Design and Dimensions

7.1 Environmental Conditions

7.1.1 Pressure Control valve shall be designed and constructed for outdoor
installation in a hot, desert climate with the following conditions:
a) Relative Humidity : Maximum: 5%
Minimum: 95%
b) Temperature : Minimum: 0oC (32oF)
Maximum: 65oC (149oF)
c) Wind : Steady wind velocities up to 130 km/h and
gust up to 160 km/h.
General Notes:
i) If an internal heat source is present, the Contractor shall guarantee the equipment
for a maximum design temperature equal to the above ambient temperature, plus
the predicted temperature rise.
ii) Equipment shall be protected against corrosion and operational failure due to wind-
borne sea water spray and the accumulation of wetted salt (NaCl).
Dust Concentration: Usual airborne dust concentration is 1 mg/m³.
During sandstorms, dust concentrations may reach 500 mg/m³. Particle sizes are
as follows:
 95% of all particles are less than 20 micrometers
 50% of all particles are less than 1.5 micrometers
iii) Elements in dust include compounds of calcium, silicon, magnesium, aluminum,
potassium, chlorides and sodium. When wetted (high humidity conditions), these
compounds function as electrolytes and cause severe corrosion. Other pollutants

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

present in the atmosphere under the most extreme conditions as specified in

34-SAMSS-711 for Control Valves.
iv) Control valves and accessories installed offshore, including nearshore locations
within 1 km inland from the shoreline, shall be protected against above conditions
and also against air-borne sea water spray and wet salt accumulation.

7.2 General

7.2.1 The vendor shall provide established highly reliable choke valves with
proven record of successful operation in the oil and gas industry.

7.2.2 The choke valves shall be able to withstand very high pressures, up to
the and including the maximum design pressure, and shall be capable of
delivering the desired maximum and minimum flow rates at varying well
pressures.

7.2.3 Choke valves are required for installation on production wells in open
remote desert locations and/or offshore installations where specified.

7.2.4 The adjustable choke valves shall provide high resistance to wear and
allow for manual regulation of the flow or production line pressure.
Valve design shall be easily adapted to remote operation. When
requested, SUPPLIER shall demonstrate the conversion process and
materials to convert to remote operation.

7.2.5 The design of the choke valve shall be of angle-body type.

7.2.6 Valves shall be designed as such to allow for operation with the valve
stem in the horizontal plane.

7.2.7 The design, manufacture, testing and inspection of choke valves shall
meet the requirements of API SPEC 6A.

7.2.8 The choke valve shall be supplied based on the project design
requirement (end connections, size, pressure rating, material class,
temperature rating, backflow feature, PSL, body material, trim material,
PR, etc.) as outlined in the Aramco Valve data sheet.

7.2.9 Design of manual valves shall include for a micrometer barrel type
indicator that shows the valve percentage open in terms of 64ths.
The indicator shall stainless steel with black paints. (Other proposal can
be indicated during the time of Tender).

7.2.10 The design of actuated choke valves shall include for a visual indicator
that details the valve percentage open.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

Note: Actuators shall be provided from a Saudi Aramco approved source and
shall meet 34-SAMSS-718, 34-SAMSS-717 or 34-SAMSS-716.

7.3 Valve Sizing

7.3.1 It is the supplier’s responsibility to ensure the valve is sized correctly.

Any discrepancies in the flow data supplied by Saudi Aramco must be
highlighted at time of Tender or before order placement.

7.3.2 The vendor shall offer a valve to meet the minimum flow conditions for
each case specified in datasheet with single trim design. If this is not
possible the vendor must be highlighted at time of Tender or before order
placement.

7.3.3 User shall provide flow data for 3 cases on the Process Datasheet as
standard, Minimum, Normal and Maximum. Each flow case will state a
flow rate, upstream and downstream pressure and temperature.

7.3.4 For each of the 3 flow cases the vendor shall provide details of the %
valve open and % stem travel.

7.3.5 For installation within plant and in remote wellhead location the
maximum allowable noise level shall be 85 dBA or less at 3.3 feet
(1 meter) from the downstream bare pipe surface. Noise calculations
shall be predicted on the specified downstream pipe size and thickness,
and shall not include for any thermal or acoustic padding on the piping at
the downstream of the valve. Noise calculations shall be submitted for
review in accordance with ISA Standard SP 75.17.75.07 or with
IEC 63534 as applicable.

7.3.6 The normal stem travel for controllability shall be between 10 and 90%
range for the design flow rate limits. The vendor must highlight to the
company if the normal control range falls out with this range.

7.3.7 At the maximum design condition the valve opening shall not exceed
90%.

7.3.8 The vendor shall consider in the valve sizing the effects of any reducer
and expander fitted directly upstream and downstream of the valve.

7.3.9 The shutoff or leakage class shall be ANSI/FCI Class IV, unless
otherwise stated in the valve datasheet.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

7.4 Trim Design

7.4.1 It is the vendor’s responsibility to select a design of trim that is

compatible with the given application. Consideration should be given to
but not limited to erosion, corrosion, operating pressures, pressure drop,
cavitations, produced solids and the process media when selecting the
correct trim.

7.4.2 The design life of the valve trim should be 24 months.

7.4.3 Trim shall operate via linear movement of the valve stem. Other
proposed types shall be reviewed and approved by VSCC.

7.4.4 The trim design shall be pressure balanced to reduced required actuator
forces.

7.4.6 The trim design should consider the effects of sand and debris to avoid
plugging. The basis of design where sand is indicated should account for
a sand particle size of 0.5 lb/mmscf.

7.5 Body Design

7.5.1 The body/bonnet connection shall be of bolted design as standard. Other

proposals can be proposed at time of Tender.

7.5.2 The body/bonnet external pressure boundary seal shall be metal to metal.
Other proposal can be proposed at time of Tender.

7.5.3 The internal transition from the valve trim to the valve outlet shall be a
smooth transition with an angle of no greater than 30°. Abrupt changes
in diameters are to be avoided.

7.5.4 Valve designs that utilize threads to secure the seat are not accepted,
except for the external sleeve design and needle and seat when
specified.

7.5.5 Consideration shall be taken of the effects of high velocities at the exit
from the trim. Where necessary the vendor shall provide adequate
protection by employing a downstream wear sleeve manufactured from
Stellite or Tungsten Carbide.

7.6 Flange Size

The vendor shall consider the pipe size and schedule at the Inlet and Outlet to
ensure there is a smooth transition into and from the valve.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

8 Materials

8.1 General

8.1.1 Materials shall be selected in accordance with the latest edition of

NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 and the Saudi Aramco Valve Datasheet.
Should there be a conflict the Saudi Aramco Valve Datasheet shall take
precedence.

8.1.2 The design life of the valve should be 20 years for the stated service in
the data sheet.

8.1.3 The Supplier may offer an alternative material at time of Tender if it is

deemed a more cost effective way of manufacture than specified by
Saudi Aramco.

8.2 Trim Material

8.2.1 Tungsten Carbide (if selected, shall meet the below requirements)

The material shall consist of carbide grain bonded with a cobalt binder that
will meet all requirements of this specification. The material shall be
given a post Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) treatment. Other binder elements
can be added where deemed necessary to fit for the selected service.

The material shall be uniform in quality and condition, sound and free
from foreign materials including free carbon. There shall be no internal
or external imperfection detrimental and/or performance of the part.

All parts shall be permanently marked in such a manner that the positive
identification is maintained throughout and after the production
sequence. The identification shall consist of, but not be limited to:
 Drawing number
 Carbide grade
 Carbide batch number

8.2.2 Minimum Material Requirements – Trim, Body and Bonnet (detailed

requirement shall be as stated in the PO).

Minimum Material Requirements

– Per API SPEC 6A Material Class
Service Body/Bonnet Stem Seat Guide
Hydrocarbon EE EE EE EE

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

Minimum Material Requirements

– Per API SPEC 6A Material Class
Service Body/Bonnet Stem Seat Guide
Water Injection FF, CRA FF, HH FF, HH FF, HH

Minimum Material Requirements

– Per API SPEC 6A Material Class
Service Body/Bonnet Stem Seat Guide
Water Supply FF, CRA FF, HH FF, HH FF, HH

Minimum Material Requirements

– Per API SPEC 6A Material Class
Service Body/Bonnet Stem Seat Guide
Water Disposal FF, CRA FF, HH FF, HH FF, HH

Minimum Material Requirements

– Per API SPEC 6A Material Class
Service Body/Bonnet Stem Seat Guide
Gas Production CRA HH-NL HH-NL HH-NL

9 Performance Requirement

9.1 Unless otherwise specified, all needle-and-seat type chokes shall meet the
requirements of PR-1.

9.2 Unless otherwise specified, all plug-and-cage type chokes shall meet the
requirements of PR-2.

9.3 Notwithstanding 9.1 and 9.2, all actuated chokes shall meet the requirements of
PR-2.

9.4 PR-2 chokes shall be tested and certified in accordance to API SPEC 6A Annex
F without any “maintenance steps”, unless agreed otherwise. Tests shall be
witnessed and certified by an independent agency. If the chokes are not yet
certified, the manufacturer shall submit his test protocol for approval prior to
start of testing.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

10 Operators (General)

10.1 The design of the topworks shall take into account for all transmitted torques
and axial loadings. The design of the topworks as such should allow for a
1.5 factor of safety on the maximum working pressure of the valve.

10.2 Operators shall meet the requirements of 04-SAMSS-035.

10.3 All valves operators/actuators mechanisms (including hand-wheel, lever, gear

and power) shall be designed to stroke the specified valve from the fully open
position to the fully closed position and vice versa, under the worst process
operating conditions (breakaway, running, seating).

10.4 The maximum (human) operator force required to seat or unseat the valve at the
maximum specified differential pressure shall not exceed 360N (80 pounds) at
the rim of the hand-wheel.

10.5 Anti-torque devices such as shear pins or mechanical input stops are permitted.
The Vendor shall provide detailed technical specifications of the proposed
device, the allowable loads with and without the device, and the additional costs.

10.6 All actuators shall be purchased from a source approved by Saudi Aramco.
The Vendor shall guarantee the satisfactory performance of the complete unit
under the service conditions specified. In addition, actuators shall be supplied in
accordance with the following requirements:
a) Electric motor operator shall comply with 34-SAMSS-718.
b) Pneumatic actuator shall comply with 34-SAMSS-716.
c) Hydraulic Valve Actuator shall comply with 34-SAMSS-717.

10.7 The design of the valve top works should also take into account the maximum
output thrust from the valve actuator when applicable. If the valve cannot
withstand the actuator maximum output torque, the Supplier is to indicate this in
the valve documentation.

10.8 The design of the valve shall allow for the valve electrical actuator to be
removed without the requirement to shut in the valve and bleed line pressure.

10.9 The resultant axial force generated during operation shall be contained the in
valve top works. The valve top works shall include an integral bearing
arrangement.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

10.10 The drive to the valve top works from the gearbox operator or actuator shall be a
shaft and keyway design. For higher pressure, alternatives can be proposed as
deemed necessary.

10.11 The mount to the valve top works shall be ISO 5210 F14 as standard, ISO 5210
F10 can be sent for evaluation.

10.12 Mounting brackets for actuators where specified shall be carbon steel or ductile
iron.

10.13 Unless otherwise specified the valve will be installed in the horizontal plane.
When supplying the choke valve complete with electric actuator it is the
vendor’s responsibility to ensure that the Actuator display is in the horizontal
position to be seen by operators.

11 Quality Requirements

11.1 Quality Program

Unless otherwise specified, the basic minimum quality requirement shall be in

accordance with the below points:

11.1.1 Chokes up to API 5000 psi shall meet the requirements of

04-SAMSS-048 and API SPEC 6A PSL-2.

11.1.2 API 10000 psi chokes shall meet the requirements of 04-SAMSS-049
and API SPEC 6A PSL-3G.

11.2 Quality Program

The Vendor shall implement and maintain an acceptable Quality Program,

equivalent to the ISO 9000 Series, which shall include clearly defined and
documented procedures for the relevant Quality Systems functions. The Quality
Program documents shall be made available to the Buyer's Representative for
review and audit.

11.3 Testing and Inspection Requirements

11.3.1 Testing and inspection shall comply with 04-SAMSS-048 or

04-SAMSS-049 as applicable, Valve Inspection and Testing
Requirements. The items manufactured to this specification are
subject to verification by the Buyer's Inspection Representative per
Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements Form 175-043000,
175-043600 and 175-043601 (or specially modified versions), as
applicable, attached to the Purchase Order.

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Document Responsibility: Valves Standards Committee 04-SAMSS-054
Issue Date: 11 October 2010
Next Planned Update: 7 October 2014 General Requirements for Chokes

11.3.2 The valve shall be stroked closed and open 3 times against the
maximum design pressure.

BASIC QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

Service Quality Testing Cycle Testing
Hydrocarbon PSL 2 PSL 3 3 x at max. WP
Water Injection PSL 2 PSL 3 3 x at max. WP
Water Disposal PSL 2 PSL 3 3 x at max. WP
Water Supply PSL 2 PSL 3 3 x at max. WP
Gas Production PSL 3 PSL 3G 3 x at max. WP

12 Painting and Coating

It shall conform to all 04-SAMSS-035 requirements as applicable.

13 Marking

It shall conform to all 04-SAMSS-035 requirements as applicable.

14 Preparation for Shipment

It shall conform to all 04-SAMSS-035 requirements as applicable.

Revision Summary
7 October 2009 Major revision.
11 October 2010 Editorial revision to reflect the changes in committee members list.

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