Choke Valves
A choke valve controls the flow rate and wellhead pressure of a producing well by restricting flow through a calibrated orifice. It reduces wellhead pressure from the well’s flowing pressure down to the operating pressure of the surface production system — separator inlet pressure or pipeline pressure. Proper choke selection and sizing protects surface equipment from over-pressure and allows the operator to manage reservoir depletion rate.
What a Choke Valve Does
Reservoir fluids reach the wellhead at flowing wellhead pressure — which may be significantly higher than the operating pressure of the surface production system. The choke valve creates a controlled pressure drop across the orifice, reducing pressure and controlling flow rate. The choke may be fixed (a set bean size) or adjustable (a needle and seat that can be varied without shutting in the well).
Product Range
WNS Lowery Series 20 Choke Valve
The WNS Lowery Series 20 Choke Valve is a simple, reliable instrument designed to reduce wellhead pressure from up to 2 000 PSI to a lower operating pressure. It is the standard low-to-moderate pressure choke for rod lift and low-pressure production wells across the region.
Key features:
- Maximum inlet pressure: 2 000 PSI
- Simple, field-maintainable design
- Compatible with the WNS Lowery wellhead and rod pump equipment range
- Carbon steel construction standard
BelGAS Choke Assemblies
BelGAS — the oil and gas division of Marsh Bellofram — supplies choke assemblies with a reputation built on decades of engineering experience in upstream gas and liquid pressure control. BelGAS choke assemblies are suitable for higher-pressure applications and gas service where precise pressure control is required.
Available for a range of wellhead pressures and flow conditions. Contact Proxima for BelGAS choke selection based on your well conditions.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | WNS Lowery Series 20 | BelGAS Choke |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | — |
| Max inlet pressure | 2 000 PSI | Higher pressure — contact Proxima |
| Adjustment | Fixed or adjustable bean | Adjustable |
| Service | Oil, gas, water | Oil, gas, liquid |
| Material | Carbon steel | Carbon steel, SS options |
| Application | Rod lift, low-pressure wells | Higher-pressure, gas service |
Suppliers
| Supplier | Product | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| — | — | — |
| WNS Lowery (Marsh Bellofram Group) | Series 20 Choke Valve | Low-to-moderate pressure, rod lift applications |
| BelGAS (Marsh Bellofram Group) | Choke Assemblies | Higher pressure, gas service |
Why Source Through Proxima
Proxima stocks WNS Lowery Series 20 choke valves for fast delivery. BelGAS choke assemblies are specified and ordered to your well conditions. Both products are supplied with full technical documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a fixed choke and an adjustable choke?
A fixed choke uses a replaceable bean (orifice insert) of a specific size. Changing the flow rate requires shutting in the well and replacing the bean. An adjustable choke allows the operator to change the flow rate from outside the valve without shutting in the well — preferred for active well management.
Q: How do I size a choke for my well?
Choke sizing requires flowing wellhead pressure, downstream operating pressure, flow rate, and fluid composition (gas, oil, water ratio). Proxima engineers calculate the required choke size from your well test data.
Q: Can choke valves handle sand-laden production?
Sand causes rapid erosion of choke seats and beans. For sandy production, specify erosion-resistant seat materials (tungsten carbide or ceramic) when ordering. Proxima can recommend appropriate material options for your sand concentration.
