What the GEek??! The GE Christmas tree
n.
an evergreen or artificial tree decorated with lights, tinsel and other ornaments in celebration of Christmas
OR
(general) a machine which controls the flow out of a well
(pictured) the GE Christmas tree, a subsea tree for undersea oil and gas wells
It may not be a pretty as the Christmas tree in the first definition, but it does help to power Christmas celebrations all around the world, including the lights on its more aesthetically-pleasing counterpart.
A combination of valves, spools and fittings used for subsea oil and gas wells, the GE Christmas Tree is hardier than its evergreen namesake. Built to last more than 25 years with little maintenance, it can withstand some of the roughest conditions, like operating temperatures of up to 175 degrees Celsius, kilometres below the surface of the ocean. In a most basic sense, the valves in the Christmas trees control the flow of oil and gas from subsea wells. The Christmas trees are linked by flow lines to an onshore or floating production platform
The Christmas tree is often confused with the wellhead, but they are actually separate pieces of equipment. The Christmas tree is installed on top of the wellhead, and the wellhead can be used without the Christmas tree during drilling operations.
The subsea Christmas tree can be manufactured in either horizontal or vertical configurations and vary dramatically in weight, depending on the type of application and conditions it has to withstand.
Read more on how the GE Christmas Trees withstand the sea and power the lights on Christmas trees around the world here.