An Electric Choke System Improves Well Control Management Level
Authors: Tan Bin , Zhu Jun , Luo Yuan , Pang Ping , Yang Bozhong 
Published: November 2024

The objective of this study is to address the shortcomings of conventional hydraulic choke systems used in well control, which typically suffer from poor precision, slow response time, and extended control periods. These limitations hinder efficient well pressure management and can lead to increased operational risks during well control events especially during mud kill period. Our approach introduces an electric choke system equipped with all-electric drive control technology. This method focuses on enhancing the precision of pressure control, expediting response time, and facilitating digital recording of all parameters. By integrating advanced sensors and control algorithms and actuators, the electric choke system delivers a more responsive and accurate pressure control mechanism that is critical for managing well control events. This method including upgrade a manual choke valve to an integration choke including electric control function and also a manual wheel. Not only the hardware of choke is equipped with automatic control system while the kill sheet itself is also designed and calculated by system itself, field engineer needs review the procedure and click a button then mud killing is executed automatically. The deployment of the electric choke system has yielded remarkable improvements in well control operations. The system's rapid adjustment capabilities have allowed for swift and precise pressure regulation, significantly reducing the window for potential well control incidents.

Furthermore, the digitalization aspect ensures that all relevant operational parameters are continuously monitored and recorded, providing a valuable dataset for analysis and optimization. This enhanced control has led to marked increases in the timeliness and success rates of well control interventions, underscoring the system's impact on safety and efficiency. A noteworthy addition to these results is the capability of remote operations afforded by the digital technology inherent in the electric choke system. This feature allows operators to manage well pressure from a distance, thereby reducing the physical risk to personnel that is typically associated with manual pressure adjustments on-site. The digitization of well control also paves the way for unmanned or minimally manned operations at the wellsite, promoting safety and operational efficiency. This study presents a novel application of electrically driven choke technology that shifts the paradigm in well control management. The electric choke system stands out not only for its operational benefits but also for its contribution to the digital transformation of well control practices. By offering a higher level of control and data transparency, it sets a new standard in the industry for managing critical well control situations and remote operation capabilities extend the benefit of minimizing human exposure to hazardous conditions, these enhancements, facilitated by the electric choke system, therefore contribute to a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective well control strategy.