Innovative Invincible Trim Choke Application in Unconventional Gas Wells

Abstract This study presents a field-proven solution to one of the most persistent operational challenges in gas production: choke valve trim erosion in unconventional gas wells. A six-month trial was performed to evaluate the application of an Invincible Solid Diamond Trim choke valve as an alternative to the conventional tungsten carbide trim choke configuration. The trial, executed on two erosion-prone wells, demonstrated that the Invincible Solid Diamond Trim design offers a significantly extended service life – at least six times longer – with an optimistic scenario of potential elimination of replacement needs over the well's lifecycle, while delivering steady gas flow, consistent pressure control, and dramatically reduced operational disruptions. The field results were substantiated by inspection, test data, and economic modeling, all of which confirmed that the innovative trim design not only improves performance but also contributes to substantial cost avoidance and enhanced safety. The findings support broader application of Invincible Solid Diamond Trim in erosive environment and encourage proactive consideration during field development planning.