Apparatus for controlling a pressure control assembly in a hazardous area

Abstract

An apparatus operable is a hazardous area for controlling a choke assembly includes an air source, an air purge system in fluid communication with the air source, a remote operating panel receiving data from at least one remotely located wellbore sensor, a local operating panel in electronic communication with the remote operating panel, and an actuator coupled to the assembly to control pressure within the wellbore. The remote operating panel includes an airtight housing in fluid communication with the air purge system, wherein air from the air purge system is circulated through the housing, a plurality of operator controls for manually controlling operation of the pressure control assembly, and a display for visually displaying values of data received from the wellbore sensor. The local operating panel includes an airtight panel housing in fluid communication with the air purge system, wherein air from the air purge system is circulated through the panel housing, and a local operator controller having an operator interface for receiving operator instruction input into the local panel, and operable to receive operator instructions from the remote panel and transmit operator instructions. The actuator includes a motor in an explosion-proof housing coupled to the choke plate and operable to adjust the orifice through the choke plate, wherein the motor receives electronic communication of the operator instructions transmitted by the local operator controller, and a position indicator coupled to the choke plate for sensing the orifice opening and providing feedback of the choke plate position to the motor.