Abstract: Aiming at the key problem whether liquid-carrying capacity is better or worse after applying the downhole choke than before, this article selects high gas-to-liquid ratio (GLR) gas well with downhole choke as research target. Taking downhole choke as a function node, its pressure drop correlation and temperature drop correlation are set up using the node analysis. The minimum flow rate for the continuous removal liquids by Professor Li Min is presented to quantitatively describe its liquid-carrying capacity and then obtain the minimum flow rate profile. The case analysis shows the minimum flow rate profile includes typical 3 parts in distribution and has 3 maximum rates. So the gas production rate should be higher than the maximum value of them. And the minimum flow rate between the reservoir and the downhole choke is higher than that between the downhole choke and the wellhead. In other words, the less gas rate with a downhole choke can help liquid-carrying production from gas well, which proves the liquid-carrying capacity is better than that without the downhole choke. But there is a maximum flow rate at the downhole choke, which proves the liquid-carrying capacity of the choke is worse for the bigger velocity difference between the gas jet and its surrounding mixture.

Key words: gas well, downhole choke, wellbore unloading, undercritical flow, liquid-carrying capacity analysis