Choke Valve Technology in Subsea Environments

Abstract

For as long as oil has been produced, techniques have been developed to control flow, and choke valves are an integral element of this vital requirement. This paper explores the history of the industry's move from surface to subsea production and the translation of topside choke valve technology to the more challenging, underwater environment. It considers the types of valves available for different operating conditions and the importance of specifying a valve correctly to avoid early deterioration, costly maintenance or production outages. It explores the future challenges that the oil and gas industry faces and the advances in control valve technology that will support the ongoing development of seafloor processing techniques.