Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree or Xmas tree separates the well from the production platform. It is an
assembly of valves which controls the flow of oil or gas. The assembly commonly contains many
branches and is shaped somewhat like a tree, thus its name, christmas tree.
The christmas tree sits on the top of the well head casing system and represents the interface
between the well and the production facility. It allows for the surface monitoring and regulation
of the production of hydrocarbons from a producing well.

Industry Codes and Standards

API 6A - Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment

Figure to the left shows a typical X-mas tree Installation for a offshore Wellhead platform.
A christmas tree will typically consist of the following valves:

Master Valve
This valve isolates the X-mas tree from the production tubing. X-mas trees normally have
upper master valve and lower master valve. Typically the lower master valve is manually
operated type and upper master valve is actuated type.

Wing Valve
A christmas tree may have one or two wing valves. One valve is actuated type and
connected to the process system. The other valve is manually operated.

Swab Valve

The swab valve is positioned directly above the master valve and permits entry into the
well when wireline equipment is attached.

A wellhead is a general term used to describe the component at the surface of an oil or gas well that
provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment.

The primary purpose of a wellhead is to provide the suspension point and pressure seals for the
casing strings that run from the bottom of the hole sections to the surface pressure control
equipment.
While drilling the oil well, surface pressure control is provided by a blowout preventer (BOP). If the
pressure is not contained during drilling operations by the column of drilling fluid, casings, wellhead,
and BOP, a well blowout could occur.
Once the well has been drilled, it is completed to provide an interface with the reservoir rock and a
tubular conduit for the well fluids. The surface pressure control is provided by a christmas tree, which
is installed on top of the wellhead, with isolation valves and choke equipment to control the flow of
well fluids during production.
Wellheads are typically welded onto the first string of casing, which has been cemented in place
during drilling operations, to form an integral structure of the well. In exploration wells that are later
abandoned, the wellhead may be recovered for refurbishment and re-use.
Offshore, where a wellhead is located on the production platform it is called a surface wellhead, and
if located beneath the water then it is referred to as a subsea wellhead or mudline wellhead.
Wellheads can be Dry or Subsea completion. Dry Completion means that the well is onshore on the
topside structure on an offshore installation. Subsea wellheads are located under water on a special
sea bed template.
The wellhead consists of the pieces of equipment mounted at the opening of the well to regulate and
monitor the extraction of hydrocarbons from the underground formation. It also prevents leaking of
oil or natural gas out of the well, and prevents blowouts due to high pressure formations. Formations
that are under high pressure typically require wellheads that can withstand a great deal of upward
pressure from the escaping gases and liquids. These wellheads must be able to withstand pressures
of up to 140 MPa (1400 Bar). The wellhead consists of three components: the casing head, the
tubing head, and the 'Christmas tree'

A typical Christmas tree composed of a master gate valve, a pressure gauge, a wing valve, a swab
valve and a choke is shown here. The Christmas tree may also have a number of check valves. The
functions of these devices are explained in the paragraphs above.

At the bottom we find the Casing Head and casing Hangers. The casing will be screwed, bolted or
welded to the hanger. Several valves and plugs will normally be fitted to give access to the casing.
This will permit the casing to be opened, closed, bled down, and, in some cases, allow the flowing
well to be produced through the casing as well as the tubing. The valve can be used to determine
leaks in casing, tubing or the packer, and will also be used for lift gas injection into the casing.
The tubing hanger (also called donut) is used to position the tubing correctly in the well. Sealing
also allows Christmas tree removal with pressure in the casing.
Master gate valve. The master gate valve is a high quality valve. It will provide full opening, which
means that it opens to the same inside diameter as the tubing so that specialized tools may be run
through it. It must be capable of holding the full pressure of the well safely for all anticipated
purposes. This valve is usually left fully open and is not used to control flow.
The pressure gauge. The minimum instrumentation is a pressure gauge placed above the master
gate valve before the wing valve. In addition other instruments such as temperature will normally be
fitted.
The wing valve. The wing valve can be a gate valve, or ball valve. When shutting in the well, the
wing gate or valve is normally used so that the tubing pressure can be easily read.
The swab valve. The swab valve is used to gain access to the well for wireline operations,
intervention and other workover procedures (see below), on top of it is a tree adapter and cap that
will mate with various equipment.
The variable flow choke valve. The variable flow choke valve is typically a large needle valve. Its
calibrated opening is adjustable in 1/64 inch increments (called beans). High-quality steel is used in
order to withstand the high-speed flow of abrasive materials that pass through the choke, usually for
many years, with little damage except to the dart or seat. If a variable choke is not required, a less
expensive positive choke is normally installed on smaller wells. This has a built in restriction that
limits flow when the wing valve is fully open.
This is a vertical tree. Christmas trees can also be horizontal, where the master, wing and choke is
on a horizontal axis. This reduces the height and may allow easier intervention. Horizontal trees are
especially used on subsea wells.

Wellhead Equipment & Christmas Tree

Fix drilled wellhead, connect wellhead casing string, seal and control
the annular of casing, suspend tubing, control wellhead pressure and adjust flow rate, also induce oil into outlet pipe line, shut off
oil well when necessary, and apply to acid fracturing, water injection and test service.

-Consist of casing head, tubing head and Christmas tree.

-Apply to all kinds of casing, tubing programs & connection forms.

-Feature: reliable running, convenient operating and repairing.

-Can be equipped with (pneumatic) hydraulic safety valve.

-Working pressure: 2,000Psi - 20,000Psi

-Working medium: oil, natural gas, mud, including H2S, CO2

-Working temperature: -46 ~ 121 (Class LU)

-Material class: AA, BB, CC, DD, EE, FF, HH

Normal Wellhead & X-mas Tree

1- KY65-21 wellhead & X-mas tree comes in two types for flowing wells and pumping
wells. For wells that can flow themselves and pressure at wellhead are not more than 25
MPa, flowing wellhead can be used. For pumping wells, pumping wellhead can be used.
Flowing wellhead can be converted into pumping wellhead conveniently only by replacing
the tee, cross and polished rod stuffing box.
The product has advantages of fast in installation, reliable in seal and beautiful in
appearance.

Wellhead and Christmas tree is the main equipment for oil

production, water injection and downhole operation.
It is installed on the casing head to seal the annular space
between casing and tubing, control wellhead pressure, adjust
well flow rate and transport oil to pipeline. The product was
authorized to use API Spec 6A monogram in 2001 (Certificate
No. 6A-0562). The product is also one of main products to be covered with IS09001
quality system.
Wellhead equipment made in the plant can be used for oil and gas production, water or
vappr injection and so on. It comes in the types of normal oil production wellhead,
thermal recovery wellhead, offshore wellhead, low and high pressure anti-sulfide
wellhead. The maximum operation pressure of the wellhead and Christmas tree is 105
Mpa, which can meet the demand of API material classes of AA, BB, CC, DD and EE and
temperature classes of L, P, S, T, U and V. The product's specification rate is PSL 1-4
and performance rate PR1. The procedure from design, manufacture, test to quality
control is in accordance with the latest edition of API Spec 6A.
There are different designs of wellhead equipment, which can apply to the different well
conditions in the plant. The plant also offers spare parts and can design and manufacture
complete wellhead equipment or spare parts according to user's requirements.

Wellhead And Christmas Tree Equipment can be mainly used in Continental flowing wells, pumping wells, pump wells, screw
pump oil wells. The product includes Conventional oil production wellhead, KYS series wellhead and Christmas tree equipment,
electrical submersible pump wellhead, high-pressure anti-corrosion wellhead, anti Hydrogen sulfide corrosion wellhead , thermal
wellhead and etc.