Apparatus and methods for conducting well-related fluids

摘要

Apparatus and methods for conducting well-related fluids are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may be used to mitigate erosion of fluid handling equipment by fluids associated with hydrocarbon wells. An exemplary apparatus comprises: an upstream conduit including an upstream fluid passage for receiving and conducting well-related fluid; a choke member including a choke fluid passage; and a downstream conduit including a downstream fluid passage in fluid communication with the upstream fluid passage via the choke fluid passage. A cross-sectional area of the downstream passage may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the upstream passage to allow expansion of the fluids passing through the choke such that the average velocity of such fluids may not exceed a threshold velocity selected to mitigate erosion of the downstream conduit.

主权项

1. An apparatus for conducting well-related fluid, the apparatus comprising:
an upstream conduit including an upstream fluid passage for receiving and conducting well-related fluid, the upstream fluid passage being defined by a fluid passage-defining upstream conduit surface material and having an upstream cross-sectional area at an upstream location; a choke member including a choke fluid passage in fluid communication with the upstream fluid passage, the choke fluid passage being defined by a fluid passage-defining choke member surface material, the choke fluid passage having a choke inlet, for receiving the well-related fluid from the upstream fluid passage, and a choke outlet, the choke fluid passage having a minimum choke cross-sectional area that is smaller than the upstream cross-sectional area; and a downstream conduit including a downstream fluid passage in fluid communication with the upstream fluid passage via the choke fluid passage and configured to receive the well-related fluid from the choke outlet and conduct the well-related fluid, the downstream fluid passage being defined by a fluid passage-defining downstream conduit surface material and having a downstream cross-sectional area at, or substantially at the choke outlet, wherein the downstream cross-sectional area is larger than the upstream cross-sectional area; wherein the wear resistance of the fluid passage-defining choke member surface material is greater than the wear resistance of the fluid passage-defining downstream conduit surface material.