Petroleum Zones

Petroleum Zones' Designs

WellHead-XmasTree and Their Components (section)
(Specification: API)

pzwh&xt-section

Christmas Tree (section view)

A Christmas tree is the assembly of gate valves, chokes, and fittings that controls the flow of oil or gas during production. Tree design is based on the number of tubing strings used for completion, tubing bore size, maximum anticipated production pressure, trim requirements, and flow rates. The bottom connection of the tree matches the top connection of the tubing head adapter. The tree and adapter are usually made up and installed as a unit immediately after tubing is suspended.

The tree consists primarily of a series of gate valves and a production choke. Gate valves located between the tubing head adapter and the production tee are called master valves. Christmas trees always have at least one master valve; usually two are used. Dual master valves allow the use of the top master valve for normal use, thus reducing wear on the lower master valve, which is the most difficult to replace.

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