10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

About Contact Disclaimer Copyright Subscribe Submit Articles Forum Helping Hand Part Time Job Learn PLC Random Article Search …   

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE 

Control Panel Control Valve Solenoid Valve

Temperature Control Process Control Hydraulic Pump

Download Free Sample Policies Procedures in Editable Word Document…

Ad Sample Policies Procedures Manuals - Choose 1,000's of Easy Word Templates.

Bizmanualz Policy Manuals

Learn more

 Home / Control Systems / Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP)

CONTROL SYSTEMS
Policy Procedures
Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) Manuals Now
 S Bharadwaj Reddy  8 Comments Free Policy Sample Downloads
Easily Create Company Policy Procedure
Manuals with Word Templates--Free
Sample Downloads

Diaphragm valves for pressures - up to 290 psi (bar) OPEN bizmanualz.com OPEN
Unique sealing concept increases reliability and safety ksb.com/ksb-en/SISTO

WHCP: Wellhead Control Panel

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 1/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

WHCPs are also known as Shutdown Panels (SDP), Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD) or Hydraulic Safety Shutdown System
(HSSS). These are failsafe shutdown systems which have pneumatic/hydraulic/electric components; WHCPs can also be integrated Temperature Control
with PLC/ RTU/ SCADA. WHCPs are standalone control systems as well as an interface between the plant control and the wellhead
Hydraulic Pump
safety system. WHCPs are used for monitoring, controlling (Remote/Local) and safe shutdown of Subsurface Controlled Safety
Valves (SCSSV), Surface Safety Valves (SSV), and other wellhead safety valves (Choke, ESD, HIPPS) in oil & gas production elds to
Electrical Panel
ensure safe operation of unattended wells/platforms.
Hydraulic System
WHCPs may have multiple applications, which include, but are not limited to

Categories
Safe and Sequential Operation of Wellhead Valves (SCSSV/SSV/Wing Etc.)
Emergency and Fire Shutdown
Select Category
Safe Operation of Riser Valves
Flow line Pressure control
Well Test Operation
HIPPS /ESD/ Choke Valve Control Temperature Control
Partial Stroking
Drilling Well
Overview of Wellhead Control Panel
Electrical PLC

Gas wells and oil wells has a high potential hazard, either because the material ejected ammable nor the potential hazard of the Automation Control
gas pressure is high. Wellhead control panel is key equipment in oil & gas industry to protect oil eld facilities and environment
from occurring wellhead re and emergency incidents, which is one of main control systems to ensure oil eld oil production and
transportation to be safely operation according to international standards and national regulation.Its function is to shut down the Inst Tools Android App
well in case conditions that harm or for other interventions as well as the work test, etc.

Wellhead control panel is composed of hydraulic power unit (HPU), tubing & tting and instrument valve and electrical control
devices. HPU supply hydraulic resource to open and close SSVs including MSSV, WSSV and SCSSV.

Inst Tools IOS App

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 2/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

The level of complexity of each well head control panel vary, each company has its own standard. So the de nition of well head
control panel in General will certainly vary, the de nition of well head control panel if we review of its functionality is part of the
surface facilities of the gas well or an oil well that is used to control well, like: be it to shutdown system, the casing pressure
reading parameters, tubing pressure reading parameters, temperature well parameters. So to open or close a Wing Valve (WV),
Master Valve (MV), as well as Down Hole Safety Valve (DHSV) can be through the Wellhead control panel. Generally inside wellhead
control panel consists of control pneumatic or hydraulic. Control pneumatic or hydraulic composed of tubing and three way valve.

Here I will only discuss WHCP from gas wells, as I understand. Function or application WHCP depending of each type of wellhead
control panel. It is a simple system, until there is a tricky. If it can be inferred is actually a function of well head control panel is to
operate well, be it for shut in and POP (put on production). With the wellhead control panel we able to open or closed the DHSV
via the push button in panel. Also we can open or close a master valve or wing valve with push button in the panel as well. It was
all done manually, by pressing or pulling a push button. But to close the DHSV, Master valve, Wing Valve can be done
automatically, namely through the integration with shutdown system from the well. Surely this should follow the philosophy of the
shutdown system used by each company .

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 3/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

By looking at the picture, it will give an overview of what functionality or usability of the wellhead control panels. The components
are visible in the picture can be grouped into:

All of these components will give feedback or as a input signal to the Wellhead control panel  (WHCP). While in the well itself
( owline) there is a sensor that is used to monitor the condition of the well, either to shutdown the system, or just for readability
only.

Instrumentation for shutdown system e.g.:

PALL (pressure switch low low)

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT
PAHH (pressure switch high high)
 CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 4/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

The Fusible plug (for detection of res), usually mounted above fangles, or parts that there is a possibility of leaks (the source of
re)

The instrumentation used for reading, for example:

FR ( ow recorder) or Flow Indicator

PR (pressure recorder) or Pressure indicator
TR (temperature recorder) or Temperature Indicator

The Final element of the system shutdown:

DHSV, Down hole Safety valve ( drived by hydraulic power)

MV, master valve (drived by hydraulic power)
SSV, surface safety valve (drived by pneumatic power)
Choke valve, manually  operated
SDV (shutdown valve) installed  in ow line of well, outside the part of the wellhead (X-mastree)

Valves are a part of which will receive command of the signal to be opened or closed  from Wellhead control panel. So if  I can give
analogical WHCP is a controller (a control system), SSV, MV, DHSV, SDV are the part that receives the output from the controller,
while the PALL, PAHH, fusible plug is the input of the controller. But don’t imagine WHCP like PLC in General. WHCP I discuss here
is that it uses control pneumatic or hydraulic.

Why WHCP generally use pneumatic control, because most of the well gas wells far location (remote) so hard to nd sources of
energy such as electricity. And generally WHCP from gas wells using gas from the well itself as a source of pneumatic power. Later
will be discussed where the pneumatic power source to run the WHCP. With pneumatic power from gas, we can also have
hydraulic power, i.e. by install the hydraulic pump on run by pneumatic power. Hydraulic power is used to run valve actuator
 which relatively large power needs. Pneumatic-powered convert  hydraulic power can become larger by using the pump.

The Problems That Often Arise in Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP)

From the various experiences, The  problems that often arise in WHCP are leaking, popping, and stuck. Commonly Leaking
occurred in the connection of nuts on tubing. It could be leaking at a three way valve components. To this we can issue leaked
retighten the bolts or given a Te on sealant. If for three way valve usually replace the internal parts like its o ring, whereas in order
to overcome stuck at three way valve do greasing of internal plunger. Stuck in a 3 way valve because it is dirty or arid.

For ordinary problems popping occurs at PSV. PSV is safety equipment to handle excess pressure. Each panel of a pneumatic or
hydraulic there must have been his PSV. Just like in the WHCP. When there is an excess pressure, PSV will popping, to release the
ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 5/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

excess pressure. When it was popping PSV unbiased back to its normal position, the problem is often the case. To x this we clean
the inside and then check the setting.

One of the disadvantages of pneumatic systems which use hydrocarbon gas as a source of power instrument is if the liquid into a
pneumatic system. This will cause three-way valve not working well. If the wrong selection of the material, example the O ring not
resistant with hydrocarbon substances, will certainly damage the o ring itself.

Main Function of WHCP

Local On/O SSV

Remote control SSV through RTU

High-Low pressure sense shut-down automatically.

Fusible Plug, Anti- re Shut-down automatically.

SSV can not be opened unless local reset after shuto

Function of showing system pressure

Relief Valve shall be installed on each hydraulic circuit to prevent high pressure

Function of showing hydraulic level and level switch for alarm

Function of defending pressure impact of system

Function of defending exorbitant pressure

Function of system pressure monitoring(by pressure transmitter of control panel)

Function of remote emergency shut-down (by magnetic valve of control panel)

Function of On/O SSV monitoring (by pressure switch of control loop of control panel)

Function of shield High-low pressure sense

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 6/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

Types of WHCP

Single wellhead Control Panel

wellhead control panel is used for controlling one well Surface controlled sub-surface safety valve (SCSSV), Master SSV and Wing
SSV. SSVs can be shutdown automatically and manually by WHCP to response all kind of emergency situation.

Single well control panel is categorized the following system according to driven resource:

Manual control system

Electrical control system
Pneumatic control system
Solar powered control system

Manual control system

Feature and Function: Manual hydraulic pump supply hydraulic control and output pressure for SSV. Main function includes
Remote ESD, Fusible plugs, low pressure / high pressure sensing, Manual shutdown at panel.

Electrical control system

Feature and Function: Electrical motor driven hydraulic pump with manual pump as standby will supply hydraulic to control SSV.
Main function includes Remote ESD, Fusible plugs, low pressure / high pressure sensing, Manual shutdown at panel.

Pneumatic control system

Feature and function: Pneumatic driven hydraulic pump with manual pump as standby will supply hydraulic to control SSV. Main
function includes Remote ESD, Fusible plugs, low pressure / high pressure sensing, Manual shutdown at panel.

Solar powered control system

Solar powered control system is designed to be used for wellhead control located remote area and desert area.

Feature and Function :Energy conservation, Reduce operation expense, Duel power supply, Standard control feature

Main function includes RTU shutdown；Fusible plugs；Low pressure/high pressure；Local Manual control

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 7/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

Multi-wellhead Control Panel

Each control module is drawable and can be inter-replaceable without any interruption of other well operation. Common module
include oil reservoir, Pneumatic hydraulic pump and standby manual pump.

Main function shows as following: Remote RTU shutdown;   Fire fusible plugs protection, Low pressure / high pressure sensing,
Manual control at panel.

Well Head Control Panel Working Principle

It is very common in the oil & gas plant to control its oil or gas well through a wellhead control panel (usually called WHCP). Each
well is always equipped with a SCSSV (Surface Controlled Sub-surface Safety Valves) or usually it is called as down hole valve (DHV)
and a SSV (Surface Safety Valves) which is consist of a Master Valves (MV) and Wing Valves (WV). SCSSV in most application is an
on-o valve with hydraulic actuators. While SSV can be driven by hydraulic actuator or pneumatic actuator depends on the
pressure rating. It is also a need to open or close SCSSV and SSV in sequence and accommodate an Emergency Shutdown signal
from the systems. So what are WHCP and its essential component? This article tries to explain the WHCP systems in general
application and how it works.

WHCP systems usually consist of hydraulic reservoir, strainer, hydraulic pumps, accumulator, wellhead control module, and
hydraulic line which are supply and return to wellhead control module. Any other parts except wellhead control module are
classi ed into basic cabinet. Each control module is built up dedicated for one well only. Therefore if there are 5 well in a wellhead
platform, then there will be 1 basic cabinet and 5 wellhead control module needed.

First part of WHCP is a hydraulic reservoir. This reservoir contains hydraulic uid in su cient quantity to operate each wellhead.
The size of reservoir is determine through an estimation of hydraulic uid needed to operate each actuator, possible leakage,
distance from the well, and an additional safety factor. Usually the hydraulic reservoir is an atmospheric tank with a ame arrestor
ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q & A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE
venting.
 
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 8/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

To build up a hydraulic header (high or medium pressure) the WHCP utilize a hydraulic pump. In general the SCSSV will operate at
high pressure rating and SSV will operate at medium pressure rating. Thus there will be two hydraulic headers at WHCP with its
own hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump can be pneumatic driven or electric driven depends on criticality and operation area. All
hydraulic pump suction will have a strainer to lter the hydraulic uid from any particulate so that the hydraulic uid goes to
SCSSV or SSV is clean. To make the hydraulic demand from SCSSV or SSV achievable, the downstream of the hydraulic pump
(hydraulic header) is equipped with an accumulator. It helps the hydraulic pump to supply quickly the hydraulic demand. This
arrangement (reservoir, hydraulic pumps, and accumulator) usually is called as a hydraulic power pack or a hydraulic power unit.

After the hydraulic uid accumulated at the hydraulic header (both high pressure and medium pressure) then it’s ready to supply
each wellhead control module. Usually the line from hydraulic header to wellhead control module is called a hydraulic supply
lines. At this wellhead control module, the sequence and logic to operate the SCSSV and SSV is built up.  The ESD signal mainly also
goes to this module. When it needs to open the SCSSV and SSV, it supplies the high pressure or medium pressure hydraulic uid
to the SCSSV and SSV. In case there is a need to close it down, the hydraulic uid supply will close and the hydraulic uid will goes
to a hydraulic return line through a three way valves selector. This hydraulic return line will goes to the hydraulic reservoir again.

From this general explanation we can conclude that the wellhead control panel (WHCP) is a hydraulic system that utilizes a
hydraulic power pack and a wellhead control module to perform its task. The output of WHCP is high pressure hydraulic supply
and medium hydraulic supply to operate SCSSV and SSV. Wellhead control panel is also the interface between the plant control
and safety system with the SCSSV and SSV systems.

Also Read: Overview of HIPPS System

SHARE  Facebook  Twitter  Google+  Pinterest  LinkedIn

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 9/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

Previous Post: Next Post:

 Safety Systems online exam Difference between Star and Delta


Connections

Related Articles

CONTROL SYSTEMS CONTROL SYSTEMS

PID Controller Functions Feedforward Control with Dynamic Compensation

 January 25, 2018  February 9, 2018

CONTROL SYSTEMS CONTROL SYSTEMS • PLC TUTORIALS

Overview of HIPPS System DCS Architecture Vs PLC Architecture

 January 15, 2016  November 29, 2016

CONTROL SYSTEMS CONTROL SYSTEMS • INSTRUMENTATION DESIGN

Boiler Drum Level Control Systems DCS Controllers to Output Current Loops
 August 1, 2016  October 17, 2017
ANIMATION
CONTROL SYSTEMS
MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS 
CONTROL SYSTEMS • EBOOKS
ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 10/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

Feedforward Vs Feedback Control Closed Loop Control System : Boiler Water Level
 March 27, 2016 Control System
 January 2, 2015

CONTROL SYSTEMS CONTROL SYSTEMS

Why Bias used in Proportional Controller ? Two Element Drum Level Control System
 April 28, 2016  August 1, 2016

CONTROL SYSTEMS • VIDEOS CONTROL SYSTEMS

Interconnection between PLC , MCC, LCP & Pumps – On/off Control Theory
Video  January 14, 2018

 December 17, 2016

8 comments

patel pratapbhai 3 years ago

WHCP For Basic. Thanks

Reply

Jesus Zeballos 2 years ago

Good Morning:

I have the following query, for a well control has the pneumatic control panel and also has a PLC, in the
case of safety which of the two terms must act rst?

Regards
Jesus

Reply

azetou 1 year ago

Look at it as if the PLC is the brain and the pneumatic system is the muscle, PLC acquire
some parameters (like pressure), and based on some setpoints, it make a judgment if there
is an emergency or not, if yes, it will send commands to pneumatic system to shutdown
valves ( typically by depressurizing the air tube that feeds the corresponding valve) .

Reply

ANIMATION
Sanni JIBIRIL MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 11/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

For routine maintenance, what are the things to look out for in a WHCP? 2 years ago

Reply

Dodi 2 years ago

the rst step: no hydraulic leakage in system, then check pumps, pressure gauges, relief valve, pressure
regulator if any, lter suction & discharge, accumulator, oil level at reservoir & level gauge

Reply

azetou 1 year ago

Hi,

SCSSV stands for Surface-Controlled Subsurface Safety Valve and not as you mentioned Subsurface Controlled…, for it is
a subsurface installed valve but controlled from the surface via the WHCP. Great website by the way.

Reply

chabane belmekki 10 months ago

I want to change wellhead pneumatic panel with other panel which works with PLC SIL 2 or 3

Best regards

Reply

ahmed gharebi 4 months ago

hi ,i want to be noti ed. thanks

Reply

Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required elds are marked *

Comment

ANIMATION MEASUREMENT  CONTROL SYSTEMS  Q&A  ELECTRONICS  ELECTRICAL  ONLINE TEST  MORE  
https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 12/13
10/26/2018 Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP) – Instrumentation Tools

Name *

Email *

Website

Post Comment

The content is copyrighted to InstrumentationTools.com. All Rights Reserved. © 2015 - 2018  


https://instrumentationtools.com/basics-of-wellhead-control-panel-whcp/ 13/13