Autumn-2022

Part (3)

Production Engineering Design # 2

PE473

Instructor :
Tarek . N . A . Daw
Production Operations & Workover Engineer Specialist
 Gas Lift System
Introduction
 In this method of artificial lift, the source of energy is high pressure
gas (compressed) injected through a choke located at the surface
and into the well through special gas lift valves that are installed
into side pocket mandrels that connected with production tubing
string.
 The process involves injecting high pressure gas through both the
casing annulus or through the tubing to reduce fluid density from
the point of gas injection, then a lower formation pressure is able
to lift oil to the surface.
 The heavy fluid in the tubing is lightened and lowers the hydrostatic
pressure in the production string by mixing with the gas injection
and is raised to the surface by expanding gas and the formation
fluids starts to flow to the surface under the reduced back pressure
of the lightened fluid column. 2
 The injection gas separated from the oil at the surface, treatment,
repressurized and re-injected to start the production.
 A complete gas lift system consists of a gas compression station,
a gas injection manifold (Skid) with injection chokes and time cycle,
surface controllers, a tubing string with installations of unloading
valves and operating valve.
Gas source :
Gas source inside the field or near the field, this because it's uneconomic to
get the gas from a long distance because it requires more pipelines and more
compressors.
The gas source it possible to be a gas well or oil well producing relatively at
high GOR.

The main objective of gas lift system is to reduce pressure drop in the
tubing when the reservoir is being produced, the pressure drop is due to:-
 The weight of the fluid on its way to the surface.

 Losses by friction caused by fluid flow.

In a Natural flow well
Fluid column weight
reduced by formation gas.
In Gas lift system
Fluid column weight
reduced by formation and
injected gas.

Gas Lift Method :

 Method of artificial lift in which uses additional energy (high compressed

pressure gas) to supplement formation gas.
 Produced fluids are lifted by reducing fluid density in wellbore to lighten
the hydrostatic column, or back pressure, load on formations. 4
 There are four categories of wells in which a gas
lift can be considered :

1- High productivity index (PI), high bottom hole

pressure wells.
2- High PI, low bottom hole pressure.
3- Low PI, high bottom hole pressure.
4- Low PI, low bottom hole pressure.

 Wells having a PI greater than 0.5 BPD/PSI.

are classified as high productivity wells.
 High bottom hole pressure will support a fluid column
length equivalent to 70% of the well depth.

 Wells having a PI less than 0.5 BPD/PSI .

are classified as low productivity wells.
 Low bottom hole pressure will support a fluid column
length equivalent less than 40% of the well depth.
T.N.Daw
 Gas Lift Working Principle
Gas mixes w/oil, it reduces the SP.gr of oil. The gradient has been
reduced, the hydrostatic pressure reduced to a point where the
reservoir pressure is greater than the BHP, oil & gas moves upwards
by gas expand.
The injection gas lifts the oil to the surface by one or combination of
the following processes:
1- Injected gas reduces fluid density.
2- Expansion gas bubble (Swelling) as the hydrostatic pressure reduces.
3- Displacement of fluid by injection gas bubbles.
‫ وعند‬. )‫ٌسبب الغاز المضغوط فى البئر تخفٌف كثافة عمود السائل (نفط أو سائل لتل‬
‫تخفٌف كثافة العمود سٌكون بأستطاعة ضغط الطبمة المنتجة رفع عمود السائل الى أعلى‬
‫ كما ٌعمل الغاز المضغوط داخل البئر‬.‫بممدار ٌتناسب مع انخفاض كثافة العمود فى البئر‬
‫عمال آخر وهو دفع السائل أمامه لٌساعد فى أخراج النفط من الطبمة المنتجة وبذلن ٌحدث‬
.‫تخفٌف للضغط المسلط على الطبمة وٌستمر التدفك من الطبمة الى داخل البئر‬
 ‫تعتمد هذه الطريقة على األتى‪:‬‬
‫‪ -1‬خلط الغاز مع النفط لتخفٌف كثافة عمود السائل‪.‬‬
‫‪ -2‬أستغالل تمدد الغاز المضغوط ‪.‬‬
‫‪ -3‬ازاحة النفط بأستخدام الغاز المضغوط‪.‬‬
 ‫‪Gas Lift Mechanisms‬‬
‫‪Gas Mechanisms :‬‬
‫‪Gas Lift uses additional high pressure gas to addition formation gas.‬‬
‫‪Produced fluids are lifted by reducing fluid density in wellbore to‬‬
‫‪lighten the hydrostatic column, or back pressure, load on formations.‬‬

‫نظام الرفع بالغاز فى اآلبار النفطية ‪Gas Lift System‬‬

‫ٌعتبر هذا األُسلوب إحدى الطرق المستخدمة فً اآلبار التً ٌنمطع حركة السائل المنتج فٌھا إلى‬
‫السطح أو ال ٌصل إلى وحدات الفصل ذات الضغط العالً نسبٌّا ً حٌث ٌموم الغاز المحمون إلى البئر‬
‫برفع السائل المنتج منھا و ذلن بخفض كثافة النفط و تملٌل ضغط عمود السائل إزاء نطاق اإلنتاج‬
‫من المكمن لٌحدث فرق الضغط المناسب بٌن المكمن و لاع البئر مما ٌساعد على تدفك النفط من‬
‫المكمن إلى جوف البئر و من ثم إلى السطح كما تموم الفماعات الغازٌة المنتشرة فً عمود السائل‬
‫داخل أُنبوب اإلنتاج عند تمددها كلما إرتفعت فً األنبوب وازدادت مساحتھا بدفع كتلة النفط و‬
‫إزاحتھا إلى األعلى وإن آلٌة الرفع بالغاز تعتمد بالدرجة األُولى على الطالة الكامنة فً ضغط الغاز‬
‫المحمون عند نھاٌة أنبوب الحمن لدفع النفط من هذه النمطة إلى السطح من جھة وعلى إنتشار‬
‫فماعات الغاز فً عمود السائل داخل األُنبوب لتملٌل كثافة النفط و بالتالً تملٌل ضغط عمود السائل‬
‫لٌسھل رفعه إلى السطح من جھة اخرى‪.‬‬
 Gas Lift Application
 Gas lift is the only form of artificial lift that does not require the
use of adown hole pump.
 Gas is typically injected down the csg. and passes through the
SPM and valve for production up the Tbg. It is unlikely to inject
down Tbg and production through csg.
 Continuous injection into low GOR wells to increase the
production rate and improve the economics.

 Continuous injection into wells with increasing water cut &

decreasing reservoir pressure.

 Chance gas kick-off to initiate (start) production after a field shut

down or wells that will flow naturally once the heavier workover
or completion fluids are removed from the production string.

 Oil wells with insufficient bottom hole pressures or deep wells

that can’t flow moving the hydrostatic head. 9
 Why do we use Gas lift system instead of the Pumping system?
 Production Efficiency.
 Deep Reservoir Depth .
 Economic Gas Injection.
 Low Service & Maintenance.
 Run Life For Gas Lift Valves.
 High GOR Wells.

Gas Lift Limitations

 Gas supply must be available and more gas to handle.
 Available space for compressor on off-shore.
 The problems associated with production of a viscous crude and
an emulsion.
 Wet gas or corrosive lift gas will reduce the reliability and increase the
cost of gas operations ( necessary to treat the gas before use ).
 Gas supply flow line needed to each well.
 Tubing, casing and wellhead design should withstand high pressure gas.
 Advantages Of Gas Lift System
Capable of lifting large volumes of fluid.

Takes full advantage of the energy available in the reservoir.

Surface wellhead equipment requires minimal space and cost

of down-hole equipment low.
The use of wire line unit allows for the economy (less costly)
of service and maintenance operations(with out killing the well
or pulling the tubing if replaced gas lift valves).

Most efficient in wells that have high GOR or GLR and better
performance in sandy well conditions.
Valves and mandrels require No mechanical linkage to the surface.
This reduces rig time when repairs. 11
 Dis-advantages Of Gas Lift System

Needs high- pressure gas well or compressor.

Annulus full of high pressure gas.

Gas supply flow line needed to each well.

High operating cost with corrosive gases.

It should not be used for viscous oil → µ > 5 cp and emulsions

which are difficult to lift efficiently and slow to start up after
shutdown..

Wet gases (gas freezing) will reduce the reliability of gas lift
operations.
T.N.Daw
 Gas Lift System Applications
Constraints Typical Range Maximum*
Operating Depth 5,000’ - 10,000’ TVD 15,000’ TVD

Operating Volume 100 - 10,000 BPD 30,000 BPD

Operating Temperature 100° - 250° F 400° F

Wellbore Deviation 0 - 50° 0 - 70°

Corrosion Handling Good to Excellent
Gas Handling Excellent
Solids Handling Good
Fluid Gravity >15° API
Servicing Workover Rig or Wireline Unit
Prime Mover Type High Pressure Gas (Compressor)
Offshore Application Excellent
System Efficiency 10% - 30% 13
 Gas Lift System

 Where injected the gas be applied ?

1-Through Production Casing when the well productivity (PI)

& (BHP) is low.
Intermittent flow (un-steady state flow) (PTL)

2-Through Production Tubing when the well productivity (PI)

& (BHP) is high.
Continuous flow (steady state flow) (PAL).

T.N.Daw
Tubing Flow System
(PTL) Produce
From Tubing

Fixed Choke

Injection Gas
through Casing

Gas Injection
Pressure
Autumn-2022
 Casing Flow System
(PAL)
Adjustable
Choke

Check
Valve

Produce
From Casing

Injection Gas
through Tubing Check
Valve

Autumn-2022
 Gas Lift Gas Treatment
 What is most important to any injection gas lift system?
1- Removal of heavy components (cooling & condensation)
1. All liquid hydrocarbons must be knocked out-off the gas
before it is sent through the distribution system to prevent slug
formation.
2- Water removal
Free water is removed through scrubber and a significant amount
of water vapour is condensed and removed by cooling.
To remove most of the remaining water vapour a Glycol Dehydration
system in gas plant is most commonly used.
Another problem is Freezing, which is the formation of hydrates.
This may occur in the gas distribution system (chokes, orifices…etc.)
when the gas is cooled (cold winter nights).
Methanol liquid can be injected into the gas stream for a limited
time until the temperature rises above the freezing point. T.N.Daw
 Injection Gas Lift Distribution
 Once the clean dray gas is compressed to the required injection pressure, it is
distributed to the gas lift wells through a distribution network.
 This consists of a trunk line individual distribution headers to local wells
(Gas lift Skids)

Gas Gathering System (Skid)

 Gas and Liquid Gathering System (Gas injection manifolds) in the field can
reduce the total installed pipe length and centralize operations such as gas flow
measurement and control.
Surface Equipment For Gas Lift System
The basic equipment for gas lift technology includes the following:
1- Gas distribution manifold (Skid).
2- Gas Compressor's Station.
3- Distribution lines to conduct the gas to the wellhead.
4- Differential pressure recorder.
5- Surface gas flow controllers (Root) (Choke).
6- Dehydration unit (Anti-freezing , Scraper).
 Compressor
station
Oil storage
Gas export Tank To pipe line
Injection Gas pipeline
Produced
gas Gas
pipeline

Producing Gas and oil

wells separator
Produced
oil
Injection Gas
manifold
Oil Production Water
manifold disposal well

Metering and
control choke

19
Production Separator

Gas Out-let

Test Production
Separator Separator

Autumn-2022
 Oil Storage Tank
Degasser
Boat

Storage
Tank

Gas Out-let to
gas plant or flair pit

Autumn-202221
 Liquid In-let

Gas Boat

Gas Boat
22
 Glycol Dehydration Unit

Reboille
r

Flash Tank

Glycol Filter
Carbon Filter

The amount of water vapor is reduced and removed by cooling using

Glycol to prevent slug formation before sent the gas injection to
distribution system (Skid). 23
Heat Exchanger
Heat
Exchanger

This pump used to suction the

Glycol from boiler and send to
heat exchanger
Autumn-202224
 Gas Scraper

Gas out-let

Used to separate any hydrates that may fund in the gas such as water
or condensate and that to get as much dray gas. 25
 The Gas Compressor System
 When natural gas production does not have sufficient potential energy
to flow, a compressor station is needed.
 The Gas compressor is an important equipment of gas lift system. It
compresses the desired gas volume at the desired pressure in the well to
cause lifting of fluids to the surface.
 The selection of a suitable compressor and the design of a complete gas
lift system for compressor operation must be considered in many gas lift
system.
 The Gas compressor station receives gas from separator or any other
low pressure source and change it from mechanical energy to pressure
energy to suitable for gas lift operations. The compressor discharge
pressure typically ranges from 800 to 2000 psig.
The Gas Compressor Operation Cycle
 Suction Process

 Compression Process
 Discharge Process 26
 Types Of Gas Compressor

1- Positive Displacement Compressors.

Reciprocating Compressors:

 Reciprocating compressors are most commonly used in the natural gas

industry.
 Designed for high pressure and low volume.
 They are made for practically all pressures and volumetric capacities.
 Reciprocating compressors have more moving parts and, therefore, lower
mechanical efficiencies than centrifugal compressors.
 Reciprocation compressor consists of a piston, cylinder, cylinder heads,
suction and discharge valves, and other parts necessary to convert rotary
motion to reciprocation motion.
 A typical reciprocating compressor can send a volumetric gas flow rate up
to 30,000 cubic feet per minute at a discharge pressure up to 10,000 psig.
Gas Compressor

Reciprocating Gas Compressor

(One Stage) (600 – 1500) psi

Suction bottle

Discharge bottle
Compresso
r

Autumn-202228
Reciprocating Gas Compressor
(One Stage) (600 – 1500) psi

Gas Fuel Engine

Autumn-202229
 Reciprocating Gas Compressor
(Two Stage) (150 – 450) & (450-1500) psi

Gas Fuel Engine

Second Stage

Suction Scraper First Stage

30
 2- Dynamic Compressors.
Centrifugal Compressors:

 Centrifugal compressors have few moving parts because only the

impeller and shaft rotate.
 Designed for low pressure and high volume.
 Typically, the volume is more than 100,000 cubic feet per minute and
discharge pressure is up to 100 psig.
 Its efficiency is high, lubrication oil consumption and maintenance costs
are low and cooling water is normally unnecessary because of lower
compression ratio and lower friction loss.

The amount of gas required to injection depends on a number of criteria:

1- Number of wells and the depth of the injection point .

2- Amount of oil and water to be produced and the W.C %
3- Amount of formation gas produced Reservoir pressure.
 Classification Of Gas Compressor
1- Open System
A system in which gas from a low pressure system is compressed to
operating lift pressure and low volume
2- Semi-closed System
Designed for low pressure and high volume
3- Closed relative System
The amount of gas required to injection depends on a number of
criteria:

Factors to be considered in the Compressor design

1- Number and location of wells, location of all equipment.
2- The type of lift ( continuous or intermittent ).
3- Injection gas pressure needed at the well head.
4- Design length and sizes of distribution system.
5- Define the freezing conditions (Hydrates) in the system. 32
 Gas Compressor Selection
1- Compressors are available at every sizes.
2- Compressors are could be 1, 2, or 3 stages.
3- Compressors usually use gas of gas lift for fuel.
4- Fuel consumption of compressor is approximately 10 scf/hrs/BHP.

Estimated Method For Sizing Compressor :

The Procedures :
1-Total Absolute Compressor Ratio, (Ra)
 Disch arg e. pressure psia    Pd 
Ra     
 Suction. pressure psia    Ps 

R  Ra 
1
2- Absolute Compressor Ratio/Stage = n

Where : n = Number of stages 33

- If → Ra ≤ 5 →→ n = 1
- If → 5 < Ra < 30 →→ n = 2
- If → 30 < Ra < 100 →→ n = 3

3- Calculate Compression Ratio (Rc).

Multiply, R by 1.05 to take care of pressure and temperature
change between stages.

4- In order to obtain BHP/MMSCF/Stage.→ Multiply, Rc x 23

5- Calculate total BHP/MMSCF = Rc x 23 x n

6- Total volume of gas x 10% for losses in the system = Vg x 1.1
7- Total BHP = Vg x 1.1 x ( Rc x 23)
8- Volume of gas required as fuel for compressor=
=Total BHP x lifting gas volume(scf/hrs)
34
 Example (1) :
Given the following initial data about a certain compressor:
 Suction pressure (Ps) = 58 psia

 Discharge pressure (Pd) = 900 psig

 Gas volume used for lifting = 6 MMSCF

 lifting gas volume per hours = 10 scf/hrs

How to size a Compressor ??

Solution
-Calculate, Ra  Pd  900  15  15.77
Ps 58
- Since → 5 < Ra =15.77 < 30 →→ n= 2
R  Ra   15.77  3.97
1 1
- Absolute Compressor Ratio/Stage = n 2

- Rc = 1.05 x R = 1.05 X 3.97 = 4.16

35
 -Calculate, BHP/MMSCF/Stage

Rc x 23 = 4.16 x 23 = 95.7

- Total BHP/MMSCF = Rc x 23 x n
= 95.7 x 2 = 191
-Total volume of gas x 10% for losses in the system
= Vg x 1.1 = 6 MMSCF X 1.1 = 6.6 MMSCF

-Total BHP = 6.6 MMSCF X 191 BHP/MMSCF = 1261 BHP

-Volume of gas required as fuel = Total BHP x lifting gas volume (scf/hrs)

10SCF 24hrs 1
 1261BHPx hrs x day x BHP  302,640 SCF
D

 0.3MM SCF
D

T.N.Daw
 Example (2):
Given:
 Suction pressure (Ps) = 40 psig

 Discharge pressure (Pd) = 750 psig

 Volume of gas required = 2.5 MMSCF

 lifting gas volume per hours = 10 scf/hrs

How to size a Compressor ??

Solution
765
-Calculate, Ra   13.9
55

- Since → 5 < Ra =13.9 < 30 →→ n= 2

R  Ra   13.9  3.7

1 1
- n 2

- Rc = 1.05 x R = 1.05 X 3.7 = 3.9

37
 -Calculate, BHP/MMSCF/Stage
Rc x 23 = 3.9 x 23 = 90

- Total BHP/MMSCF = Rc x 23 x n
= 90 x 2 = 180
-Total volume of gas x 10% for losses in the system
= Vg x 1.1 = 2.5 MMSCF X 1.1 = 2.75 MMSCF

-Total BHP = 2.75 MMSCF X 180 BHP/MMSCF = 495 BHP

-Volume of gas required as fuel = Total BHP x lifting gas volume (scf/hrs)

 495BHPx 10 SCF
hrs
x 24 hrs
day
x 1
BHP
 118800 SCF
D

 0.12MM SCF
D
38
 Distribution Selection

Distribution of all equipment, choice of compressor location in a

position which minimize ∆P in the system.

Weymouth's Formula :
-Used to calculate the pressure loss in gas pipe lines.

 
0.5
T  P1  P2 2 2 16 
q g  18.062x o 
  
- 3
xd
Po   g xLxZa xT 

Where :
qg= Gas flow rate @ To & Po ( 60F & 14.7 psi ), SCF/hrs
∆P = Differential pressure , psi
L = Gas pipe line length , Miles
d= Pipe line diameter, inch
Z= average compressibility factor @ P , T average.
39
 Example (3):
For the following data given for a horizontal pipeline.
 Operating pressure at well (Pso) = 200 psi
 Compressor discharge pressure (Pd) = 600 psi
 Pipe line diameter = 12.09 in
 L= 200 Mile , Z= 0.9188 , Avg.T = 80 F  g  0.7
Calculate:
Gas flow rate in scf/hr . through the pipeline?
Solution

600  200 x12.09

16
460  60 2 2
3
q g  18.062x
14.7 0.7 x540x 200x0.9188

q g  1,076,035 SCF
hrs
40
 Example (4):
Given:
 Operating pressure at well (Pso) = 900 psi

 Compressor discharge pressure (Pd) = 1000 psi

 Gas flow rate = 1.5 MMSCF/D

 g  0.65
 L= 1 Mile , Z= 0.9 , Avg.T = 100 F

Calculate , Diameter of pipe line ?

Solution

1.5 x10 6 SCF

 18.062
460  60  
1000  900
2 2
 16 0.5

 xd 
D 3
24 hrs
day
14.7  0.65x100  460x1x0.9 

d  1.69 Use nominal line size ( 2”)

"
41
 Gas Compressor Horsepower Selection
The horsepower requirements for gas compressor can be estimated
from the equation:
Where :
 P 
0.2
 qg= Gas flow rate , SCF/D
HHP  2.23x10 xqg  so
4
  1 Pso = Surface injection pressure , psi
 Psuc   Psuc= Suction pressure , psi

 Example:
-
Given:
 Operating pressure at well (Pso) = 1330 psi
 Compressor suction pressure (Ps) = 100 psi
 Gas injection rate = 1.2 x105  SCF
D

Calculate , the horsepower requirements for gas compressor ?

 0.2

HHP  2.23x10 x1.2 x10 
4  1330 
  1  18.14
5

 100   42
 H.W (1):
For the following data given for a horizontal pipeline.
 Suction pressure (Ps) = 200 psia
 Discharge pressure (Pd) = 600 psia
 Gas volume used for lifting = 7 MMSCF
 Pipe line diameter = 12.09 in  g  0.7
 L = 200 mil , Z= 0.918 , Avg.T = 80 F
Predict gas flow rate(scf/hrs) through the pipeline.
=================
 H.W(2) :
Given the following initial data about a certain compressor:
 Suction pressure (Ps) = 70 psia
 Discharge pressure (Pd) = 800 psia
 Gas volume used for lifting = 7 MMSCF

Calculate:
- Brake horse power required.
- Gas volume required for compressor fuel. 43
Main Gas Line
Supply

32” Gas line Supply

Autumn-202244
Gas Distribution lines

To Gas Distribution
Manifold (Skid)

Injection Trunk line

from Gas Plant

45
T.N.Daw
 Gas Injection Manifolds (Skid)
20” Gas Supply line

Gas injection manifolds in the field can reduce the total installed pipe
length and centralize operations, and the diameter of the pipeline
depends on the flow rate, the number of wells, and the length of the
pipelines.
20” Gas distribution line

T.N.Daw
 Differential Pressure
Recorder

Used to indicate and record gas injection pressures by two pen

recorder on a special chart daily or weekly.
T.N.Daw
Gas Control
Valve

Gas out line

to the well

T.N.Daw
This tank is always near the well and there is a Methanol inside it
using to avoid the freezing problems especially in cold winter nights.

Vertical
Methanol Tank
Gas Scraper
Chemical
injection pump

Gas Inlet

Gas Out-let
to operate
T.N.Daw injection pump
 Horizontal
Methanol Tank

Gas Scraper

Methanol
Inlet

T.N.Daw 51
T.N.Daw
Well Head

Produce From
Tubing (PTL)
(1)
Injection Gas
From Tubing
(2)

Produce From
Casing (PAL) (2) Injection Gas
From Casing
(1) T.N.Daw
 Gas injection
Flow line

Oil
Flow line

Oil Flow line

to Manifold

T.N.Daw
 Manual chock ( Root )
(Surface Controller)
Open or Close

This valve (choke) is installed through the gas flow injection line to
control the gas pressure and volume required to produce the well at
maximum rates. 54
 Sample Point

Oil Flow Line

Injection
Methanol

Root
Gas Injection Line
Daniel Orifice
Box

T.N.Daw
 Forms Of Gas Lift System

There are two basic forms (type of gas lift operation) will be
determined by the most effective gas lift method, continuous
or intermittent. Choice is based on the well and the gas distribution
system conditions:

 Well productivity (PI).

 Volume of fluids to be produced.
 Gas piping and tubing diameter.
 Static bottom hole pressure (SBHP).
 The available lift gas as to both volume and pressure.
 The well reservoir’s conditions.

T.N.Daw
 Continuous Flow System
Performance
 Continuous gas lift is best for most wells, especially for high
capacity ( high (PI & BHP) wells.
 A continuous gas lift operation is a steady-state flow of the
available fluid from the bottom (or near bottom) of the well to the
surface.
 This system may be done by continuously supplementing (adding)
the reservoir energy by injecting relatively small volume of high
pressure gas .
 The valve used for continuous flow application should be sensitive
to Pt (fluid operated valve).
Continuous Flow Gas Lift System ‫نظام الرفع بالغازالمستمر‬
.‫اذا أستطاع البئر المحافظة على طالة عمود السائل بأستمرار فوق نمطة حمن الغاز‬
.‫ هذه الحالة ٌطلك علٌه ان هذا البئر ٌنتج بتدفك مستمر بضغط الغاز‬57
‫فى‬
 Intermittent Flow System
Performance
Definition
The slug displacement of well fluids to the surface by injection of high
pressure gas into a fluid column.
( Working Principle )
Gas is closed - oil flow to well until well is filled.
Gas is opened – and slug of gas.
Gas slug pushed oil in front of it.
 Intermittent gas lift should be applied to low rate wells,
low PI & high BHP) or (high PI & low BHP).
 It is generally applied only when a limited amount of fluid is flowing
from the reservoir into the wellbore.
 Standing valves should be installed in most intermittent lift installations
unless they are low PI wells or produce sand. T.N.Daw
 Intermittent gas lift operation is characterized by a start-and-stop flow from
the bottom (or near bottom) of the well to the surface.
This is unsteady state flow.
 Under these conditions it becomes necessary to wait until the fluid volume
builds up to a level worth lifting.
 Then a slug of gas is injected down the annulus, through a gas lift valve and
into the tubing.
 Where it pushes the liquid column to the surface as a slug.
 This lift method requires a time cycle controller located at the surface on the
gas injection line.
 The production rate possible with intermittent lift depends on the amount of
liquid produced per cycle and the number of possible cycles per day.
 (Any type of valve) is suitable for intermittent flow system.

Intermittent Flow Gas Lift System ‫نظام الرفع بالغازالمتقطع‬

‫طالة الرفع تتولَّد بنفس طرٌمة الرفع المستمر إالّ أن الغاز ٌُحمن أي تكون عملٌّة الحمن‬
‫َظمان على وفك لٌمة الضغط فً كل‬ َّ ‫دورٌّة مبرمجة تُحدَّد فٌھا فترتا الحمن و التولف وتُن‬
‫من أنبوب اإلنتاج و الفراغ الحلمً ٌُعاد بعدها الحمن لفترة زمنٌة معٌَّنة ٌتولَّف لفترة معٌَّنة‬
‫أُخرى لتأمٌن أفضل رفع للنفط‬
59
 Intermittent Flow Operating System
The operating sequence, after unloading an intermittent lift
installation using casing operated valves.
(a)- Produced fluids rise and accumulate in the tubing at a
programmed time.
(b)- Gas is injected into the tubing / casing annulus – increasing the
casing pressure sufficiently to open the operating valve.
The rest of the valves, which are only used for unloading, should
remain closed. Gas is rapidly injected into the liquid column creating
a gas bubble which expands pushing the liquid slug to surface.
If a standing valve is used this is now in the closed position.
(c)- The slug has reached the surface at which time the operating
valve has already closed.
(A)- Immediately before gas injection.
(B)- During gas injection.
(C)- During displacement of slug.
60
(D)- After gas injection.
 Several factors should be noted

 Gas should be injected quickly, if not it will tend to percolate through the
liquid column. Large-ported, quick response operating valves are
recommended.
 To minimize the flowing bottom hole pressure the operating valve
should be located as deep as possible.
 Surface back pressure should be minimized to reduce the effect of liquid
fallback and gas consumption.
 A standing valve below the operating injection depth will prevent any
downward flow of fluid (dangerous cases gas injection into the reservoir)
during the gas injection cycle. and will allow production once the
pressure has been bled off the tubing.
 To minimize gas usage, only sufficient high pressure gas should be
injected under the slug such that when it expands it expels the slug from
the well. Allowing the tubing pressure to bleed off will increase die
drawdown period on the formation.
61
 Limitations of Continuous and Intermittent Gas Lift

 The continuous lift is usually suited to wells wit good PI > 0.5 bpd/psi.
 The intermittent lift is version to wells with low PI < 0.5 bpd/psi.
 Continuous lift is suited to a liquid out-put 200 – 20000 B/D.
 Intermittent lift is used for out-put 500 B/D.
 The efficiency of intermittent lift is much lower than continuous lift,
because the energy of the compressed gas under the liquid slug is lost
when gas gets to the surface.
 The intermittent lift is the only gas lift technique possible in good
producers that have a low down hole pressure, because the reservoir
pressure is initially low or has been depleted.
 A low PI wells will preferably be produced with smaller production
string diameter to the benefit of increased up-word flow velocity.
 More than 95 % of gas lifted wells produce by continuous lift.

62
 One cycle for Intermittent flow system

1- It is a cyclic production method in a which a liquid slug is

first allowed to build up in the tubing .

Pressure in front of valve = Hydrostatic Pressure + Well head back Pressure

2- As liquid enters , tubing pressure in front of valve starts

to increase due to hydrostatic pressure + back pressure .

3- There is an electronic system in front of valve to measure pressure

in tubing in front of valve.
And when pressure reaches to a defined valve it actuates
intermitted at surface to start injection gas.

T.N.Daw
4- As gas enters casing, Pc starts to increase until it reaches
Pvo , the valve is opened and gas starts entering tubing .

5- Until slug reaches surface. So, pressure starts to drop in

tubing due to production of liquid.

6- As pressure drops in tubing, more gas enters tubing at

high velocity until tubing pressure is raised and Pc
decrease . Until it reaches Pvc.

This will give sign to intermitted to stop injection gas

The Main Problem In Intermitted Flow

Due to velocity of gas slug, oil will drop by the walls of tubing , plus
oil droplets will drop in gas slug.
64
7- As gas enters casing, Pc starts to increase until it reaches Pvo , the
valve is opened and gas starts entering tubing .

8- Until slug reaches surface. So, pressure starts to drop in tubing due
to production of liquid.

9- As pressure drops in tubing, more gas enters tubing at high velocity

until tubing pressure is raised and Pc decrease.
Until it reaches Pvc.

All This Steps Called One Cycle

Time Cycle Controller ( Intermitter )
A surface control which may be adjusted and set to operate a motor
valve at a predetermined of time and also control the duration of
the operating or injection period. 65
 Calculating One cycle fluid recovery for Intermittent flow system

Vt Pt  Pwh  SxDv 

Q 
 1  
 Fluid grd  1000 
bbl
 
 cycle 

 2 2 1( ft 2 ) 1(bbl) ID 2
Vt  ID (in ) x
144(in ) 5.615( ft 3 )  Tubing.Capacity bbl   1029.4
2
x
4
 ft 
 
Where:
Qcycle = liquid produced per cycle, bbl/cycle
Vt = Volume of tubing/ ft of depth, bbl /ft
Pt = Pressure in tubing opposite the valve at time of lift , psi
Pwh = Tubing pressure on top of slug, psi
S = Defining loss in production, % /1000 ft depth of valve
66
S = Defining loss in production is dependent on :
1- Tubing Size.
2- Well Head Pressure.
3- Volume of Gas Injection.

Intermittent-gas lift operating experience shows that depending on

valve depth, 50 – 70% of the total liquid slug is lost due to slippage.

IF Tubing Size ≤ 2″
S ≈ ( 5% per 1000 ft depth of valve)

IF Tubing Size > 2″

S ≈ ( 7% per 1000 ft depth of valve)
T.N.Daw
 Maximum Cycles Per Day

  24hrs 60 min    

 day x    
     
hrs
1440
N  cucle 
    3 min xDv    3x Dv  ft   
  1000 ft     
 day 
    1000 ft 

As a good approximation:
1- Brown → Use 1.5 min/1000 ft.
2- Horner → Use double this time ( 3 min/1000 ft)

Total Liquid Produced Per Day

   
Q bbl    Q bbl  x N cycle 

 day 
   


  cycle   day  T.N.Daw
 Volume Of Gas Required

It is volume of tubing above valve @ average pressure and

temperature.

Analytically equations are very complicated.

There are charts ( Appendix-G, page 598 ) which will give you
volume of gas directly by used :

1- Tubing Size .
2- Well head Pressure or Separator Pressure.
3- Depth Of Valve.
4- Pressure Required to Open Valve Pco @ Dv .

69
 Example:
 Separator Pressure = 50 psi
 Tubing Size = 2⅞” OD, 2.44” ID

 Depth of Valve = 5000 ft

 Tubing Pressure (Pt) = 600 psi

 Dome Pressure (Pd) = 900 psi

 Well head pressure = 50 psi

 Well fluid gradient = 0.4 psi/ft

 Valve ratio (R) = 0.1

Calculate ,
Volume of oil produced and volume of gas required?

70
Solution  1( ft 2 ) 1(bbl)
Vt  (2.44) x
2
2
x 3
 0.00578 bblft
4 144(in ) 5.615( ft )

 0.00578600  50 0.07 x5000 

Q 
  1  
  
bbl
  0.4 1000
 cycle 

Qcycle  5.2bbl / cycle

 
 
   96 cycle
1440
N  cucle 
    5000   day
 day   3 x 
  1000 

QOil  5.2 x96  499 bbl

day
71
  Pd  PtxR    900  600x0.1 
PVO      933psi
 1 R   1  0.1 

From Fig. 3G-10, Page (607) by used :

Pvo = 933 psi , Sep. pressure=100 psi

Valve Depth= 5000 ft , Tubing size(ID)= 2.441”

We determine Gas Volume = 6600 SCF/cycle

GOR –Required= (6600/5.2) = 1269 SCF/bbl
Total Vol.of gas = 1269 x 499 = 633231 SCF/Day

Qgas  0.633MMSCF / D
72
 Gas volume in 1000 SCF

Gas Volume =
6600 SCF
Depth in 1000 ft

Dv = 5000 ft Pvo = 933 psi

Fig # (3G-10)
Autumn-2022
 H.W
 Separator Pressure = 50 psi
 Tubing Size = 2⅞” OD, 2.44” ID

 Depth of Valve = 5000 ft

 Tubing Pressure at time of lift (Pt) = 600 psi

 Loss factor = 0.07/1000 ft

 Well fluid gradient = 0.4 psi/ft

Calculate ,
Volume of oil produced and volume of gas required?

74
Gas Lift System Installation
 Gas Lift System Installation
The type of gas lift installation to be used in a particular well depends
upon whether the well is to be placed on continuous or intermittent lift:

Tubing Flow Installations

In these installations lift, gas is injected down the casing and production
takes place through the tubing string using (Tubing Flow Mandrel MMA- R20

Types Of Tubing Flow Applications:

1- Open type installation.
2- Semi-closed type installation.
3- Closed type installation.
T.N.Daw
 Open Type Installation
 In open installations the tubing and gas lift mandrel are hanging freely
inside the casing string and no packer or standing valve is run.

 The tubing length should be extended below the operating valve;

this prevents gas to be blown around the tubing shoe.

 Gas is transported in the casing-tubing annular space to the valve

or to the end of the tubing.

 The main disadvantage of this type, when the well is shut-in, the
annulus will fill with fluid and therefore when the well start again,
the valves will be flow liquid this effect usually result in the leaking
failure of the valves.

77
Gas Injection Production

Gas Lift Open Gas Lift Valves

Installation
F-nipple

PBTD
Perforation
Zone
 Semi-Closed Type Installation

 In semi-closed installations have a packer as a seal between the

tubing and casing and formation is sealed from injection gas
pressure .
 These installations are suitable for both continuous and
intermittent gas lift .
 Well fluids cannot enter the annulus during shut-down the well.

 Well unloading operations is not required with every shutdown.

 It also has check valve on the gas- lift valves to prevent well fluid
entering the annulus.

79
 Gas Injection Production

Gas Lift Semi-Closed Gas Lift Valves

Installation
F-nipple
Packer

Autumn-2022
 Closed Type Installation

 In closed installations add a standing valve at the end of the tubing

to eliminate high pressure gas being exerted on the reservoir in
wells with very low BHP .If sand production, or scale or paraffin are
a problem, then the standing valve should not be used.

 Usually the standing valve (plug) is wire line set in a landing nipple
near the packer .

 The intermittent flow often uses the closed installation but

continuous flow designs do not require a standing valve.

81
Gas Injection Production

Gas Lift Closed

Installation
F-nipple
Packer

Standing Valve
(Bull Plug)

Autumn-2022
 Casing Flow Installations
 In these installations lift gas is injected down the tubing and
production rises in the casing.

 It is used in continuous flow gas lift wells producing very large liquid
rates.

 No packer is run in the well.

 The tubing is bull-plugged and injection gas can only enter the well
through the gas lift valves using (Casing Flow Mandrel MMAEC- R28)

 The tubing has not been unloaded every time after the well is shut
down.

 The casing is exposed (uncovered) to well fluids restricting (Check)

its use to non-corrosive liquids. 83
Gas Injection Production

Casing Flow Gas Lift Valves

Installation
F-nipple

Standing Valve
(Bull Plug)
Perforation
Zone
Autumn-2022
 Down-Hole Equipment For Gas Lift System

The number of valves to be installed in the well depends

primarily (mainly) on the:

1- Depth of the well.

2- Kill or static fluid gradient.
3- Available injection pressure.
4- Reservoir pressure.
5- Gas lift valve design method.
6- Well capacity.

85
 Gas Lift Down-Hole Equipment

The Tubing in a gas lift well usually has several gas lift valves and
mandrels installed at different depths.
 Mandrel of gas lift valves (GLM)
Side pocket mandrel (SPM).
Conventional mandrel.
Side Pocket Mandrel
allows the gas lift valves to be installed and retrieved by wire-line unit.
 Gas lift valves.
 Sliding Side Door (SSD). Depth
Valve in Mandrel
SPM
Ft KB
 F- nipple & R- nipple. Type Port Ptro

6th ¼”
 Production Packer. 5th
3050
4750
R-20
R-20 ¼”
914#
909#
 Perforated Joint. 4th 6250 R-20 ¼” 905#
3rd 7600 R-20 ¼” 906#
 Standing Valve ( Check Valve) 2nd 8750 R-20 ¼” 911#
1st 9750 RDO 3/8” N/A
Gas Lift Mandrels

Conventional
Valve

Conventional Mandrel is run on the tubing with the

valve mounted on the external part of the mandrel
before the tubing string is run.
87
Depending on the direction of gas flow for which they are
designed, Mandrels can be for both:

(A)- 3 ½” Tubing Flow Side Pocket Mandrel

MMA – R20

Gas inlet through pocket

then to valve inlet port to
valve nozzle to tubing

Bottom of
Mandrel 88
T.N.Daw
(A)- 2 ⅞” Tubing Flow Side Pocket Mandrel
MMA – R20

TOP of
Mandrel

Mandrel Ports

Bottom of
Mandrel
89
(B)- 2 ⅞” Casing Flow Side Pocket Mandrel
MMAEC- R28

Gas outlet
Holes

Autumn-2022
Casing Flow Side Pocket Mandrel
Cross section

Gas inlet through pocket

then to valve nozzle to
valve out let port to casing

91
 Gas Lift Valves ( Types & Mechanisms)

Introduction:
The heart of any gas-lift system is gas lift valve.
Gas lift valve classification;
 Valves control the point of entry of the compressed gas.
 All valves (un-loading) have a check valve in the nose to prevent back
flow from the tubing to the casing.
 Valves have cross-sectional areas at the bellows (Ab) and at the
stem/port (Ap) that pressure acts on.
 Gas lift valves typically are available in three sizes ( ⅝ ,1 , 1½ )”
 The 1-in, materials and designs for specific well conditions.
 Valves are typically used in most low rate wells equipped with 2 ⅜ in
tubing.
 They are used with both conventional and wire- line retrievable
mandrels (SPM).
92
Gas lift valve installation and retrieval methods :
 Gas lift valves are installed in side-pocket mandrels and spaced out along the
production string.
 Conventional valves and mandrels stalled/retrieved with the tubing by using
Workover Rig..
 Wire line unit used to installed / retrieved valves set inside SPM in the tubing
string by a special wireline tool called kick over tool.

Un-Loading( Kick-off ) Operation

1- Used for the start-up of gas lift operations only to unload the well to the desired
point of injection with the available kick-off gas pressure and are usually closed
during normal production.
2- May be spring or nitrogen charged type and used in the upper SPM.
3- Open only when annulus and tubing pressures are high enough to overcome valve
set pressure.

If the surface injection pressure is high enough to unload the well,

unloading valves are useless and should be replaced by a dummy valves.
 Valve Mechanisms
 The dome is a chamber that can be charged to a selected pressure (Pd) usually
with nitrogen. The bellows connected to the dome allows expansion
or contraction of the nitrogen volume, and provides a means to transmit
movement to the stem..
 The stem is fitted with a ball which can be pushed against its seat (at the top of
the port) to close the flow of gas through the gas lift valve.
The spring provides a force tending to keep the valve closed.
 The spring and the dome pressure acting on the bellows area (Ab) generate
forces that close the valve. (These forces are set during calibration.)
 The gas injection pressure acting on the bellows area (Ab) and the fluid
pressure acting on the port area generate forces that tend to open the valve.
(These forces are determined during the gas lift design).
 Choke’s of the required size are installed to regulate the maximum volume of
gas passing through the valve. The check valve is designed to prevent backflow
of well fluid into the valve and the injection conduit. The valve is in the open or
closed position depending on the balance of forces acting on the active valve
elements e.g. in an IPO valve.
 Types of Gas lift Valves

1- Injection(Casing)Pressure Operated Valve (IPOV).

The body is designed to allow the casing pressure to act on the larger
area of the bellows. it's mainly affected by casing pressure Pc. and
most suitable for continuous or intermittent flow gas lift
production.
In opening or closing the valve. It requires a build up in Pc to open
and a reduction in Pc to close.

2- Fluid (Tubing) Pressure Operated Valve (FPOV).

The tubing pressure is acting on the larger area of the bellows.
it's mainly affected by fluid pressure ( tubing pressure Pt ). and
most suitable for continuous flow.
In opening or closing the valve. It requires a build up in Pt to open
and a reduction in Pt or Pc to close.
95
3- Pack-off ( Dummy) Valve (RD 1½ inch).
Dummy valves are used to:
A- Blank off the tubing for production and completion to enable
pressure test for tubing.
B- The SPM with dummy valve installed, should be pressure tested
at the surface prior to being run into the well.

4- Conventional Valve.
it's attached to the outside of the tubing in special mandrels and
can be run and retrieved along with the tubing string only Need
Workover Rig.

5- Orifice ( Operating )Valve- RDO

Simple orifice valve complete with No check valve.
it's mainly affected by: Pc or Pt , port size
is positioned in the lowest SPM.
96
Dummy
Valve

Autumn-2022
 Gas Lift Valve Sizing

Gas lift valves are sized on the basis of required gas passage through
the valve. for choke flow are applicable to valve port area
calculations.

Qgas  MSCF / D 
Ap 
 2 k 1

K   Pdu  k Pdu  k

1248xCxPup x    
K  1x g xTup P
 up


P 
 up 



Where :
C = Choke discharge coefficient = 0.6 for orifice-type valve ports .
K = Gas-specific heat ratio.
Pup = Upstream pressure,psi
Pdu = Downstream pressure,psi
Tup = Upstream temperature,F T.N.Daw
 Example:
The following data are available:
 Up-stream pressure = 900 psi
 Up-stream temperature = 110 F
 Down-stream pressure = 600 psi
 Gas flow rate = 2500 MSCF/D
 Gas-specific heat ratio = 1.3
 Gas viscosity = 0.02 cp Gas.Sp.g = 0.75
 Tubing size 2.259” ID
 Flow coefficient ( C ) = 0.6
 Valve size 1½” OD
 Area of bellows (Ab) = 0.657 inch sq.
Determine:
1- The port diameter (dp).
2- The valve ratio ( R ).
99
 Solution

Qgas  MSCF / D 
Ap 
 2 k 1

 Pdu k   k

1248xCxPup
K
x     Pdu 
K  1x g xTup 
P
 up


P 
 up 


 
2500 MSCF / D 
Ap   0.168in2
 2 1.31

1.3  600   600 
x  
1.3 1.3
1248x0.6 x900   
1.3  1x0.75x110  460  900   900  
 

 
Ap  0.168   xd 2   d  0.463"  0.5"
4 

 Ap  0.168
R   0.256
 Ab  0.657
T.N.Daw
 Gas Lift Valve Latch

Fishing Neck

1- Latch is threaded on to the top of the gas Lift valve.

2- Latch mechanism enables the valve assembly to snap

into the SPM.
Spring
3- To retrieve the valve, a straight pull with wire line
tools will shear the latch shear pin and release the valve
assembly.

Latch Ring
101
101
 Pulling
Tool

Valve Latch

Running
Tool

Dummy
Valve

102
 Tool String for Running & Pulling Gas Lift Valves

Before Running-in During Pulling-out

► Rob-socket. ► Rob-socket.
► Stem Bars. ► Stem Bars.
► Knuckle Joint. ► Hydraulic Jar.
► Mechanical Jar. ► Knuckle Joint..
► Centralizer. ► Mechanical Jar.
► Kick-over Tool.(Type-R) ► Collar Stop.
► Running Tool.w/valve. ► Kick-over Tool.(Type-R)
► Pulling Tool.w/valve. 103
 The KOT is used for placing the valve in the mandrel inside the
tubing and for replacing the damaged valve with a new valve.
1 2 3 4

Knuckle
Joint

Running Tool
Pulling Tool

1 2 3 4 104
 Gas Lift Assembly Before Running

Rob-socket Wire Line

Knuckle
Stem
Joint

Mechanical
Kickover Pulling Jar
Tool Tool
Gas lift
Valve

Autumn-2022
 Pulling
Running Tool Gas lift
Valve
Tool Valve
Latch

Autumn-2022
 Nitrogen in a Gas Lift Valve
 Advantages of Nitrogen  Temperature Effects

 Availability.
PF  PI  TCF
 Non- explosive.
PI = Pressure at initial temperature
 Non- corrosive
PF = Pressure resulting from change of
 Predictable compressibility. temperature
TCF = Temperature correction factor
 Predictable temperature effect.

1  0.00215 TF  60

Most gas lift valves using a pressure charged TC 
bellows are filled with nitrogen. Therefore, 1  0.00215 TI  60
special consideration is given to this gas.
Nitrogen has advantages over other TF = Final Temperature
potential gases to be used in pressure TI = Initial Temperature
charged bellows.
In addition, the compressibility of nitrogen
and its temperature changes are likely.
 Casing (Injection) Pressure Operated Valve
Unbalanced bellows valve with pressure charged dome
(Single Loading Element)

 The only loading element is a Nitrogen Charged Dome.

 The responsive element is a Bellows which allow the stem

to move the ball on and off seat.
 This valve is from 50% - 100% sensitive to casing pressure in
the closed position.
 100% casing pressure sensitive in the open position.
It requires a build-up in casing pressure to open.
 It requires a reduction in casing pressure to close. 108
 Parts of Nitrogen Charged Dome Valve
(Single Loading Element)
R 20 , 1½“

Check valve Upper Packing Nitrogen

Dome
Ball Bellows
Lower
Seat
Packing

Gas In-let Stem

Core Valve
Nozzle (Gas Out-let)

Upper & Lower Packing's

The two packing's separate the casing pressure which present the valve above the
seat from the tubing pressure which present the valve below the check valve.
 Nitrogen
Short Dome
Stem.

Long
Seat
Nitrogen Charged Dome Valve
(Single Loading Element)

Check
R 28 , 1½“

Housing

Seat
Bellows Housing
Housing
110
Autumn-2022
 Stem R 20 , 1½“

Ball
Nitrogen
Bellows Dome

Bellows Check
Housing Housing

Valve
Latch

Gas In-let

Seat Nozzle
Housing (Gas Out-let
Seat Check
111
Valve
 Dummy
Valve

RDO Valve
(Operating Valve)

RDO 20 , 1½“
 With out Nitrogen charge.
 With out Stem.
 Have seat & bellows only.
 All time still open. 112
Autumn-2022
 Valve Testing (Calibration)
 Before sending to well for installation every GLV should be
adjusted and tested at an opening pressure in the work shop that
corresponds to the desired opening and closing pressure in the
well. This pressure is called: May be converted to the
equivalent pressure
Test Rack Opening Pressure (TRO ) @ base temperature (60 F).
.

The casing pressure required to open  Pd @ 60 F    Ptrc 

the valve with No effect tubing Ptro 
 1 R 
  1 R 
pressure→ Pt = 0 in valve tester    
.
 Valve opening pressures on the design graph are calculated at downhole
temperature conditions. These calculated pressures must be converted
to reflect the reference temperature so that the valves can be set in the
workshop under those conditions.
Most manufacturers use 60°F as that standard temperature.
API Gas Lift, (Table A-1) gives the conversion factors to account for this
temperature difference. T.N.Daw
 Nitrogen Temperature Correction Factors Based on 60 F (Table- A.1)
Nitrogen Temperature Correction Factors for Temperature in Fahrenheit

°F Ct °F Ct °F Ct °F Ct °F Ct °F °Ct
61 0.998 101 0.919 141 0.852 181 0.794 221 0.743 261 0.698
62 0.996 102 0.917 142 0.850 182 0.792 222 0.742 262 0.697
63 0.994 103 0.915 143 0.849 183 0.791 223 0.740 263 0.696
64 0.991 104 0.914 144 0.847 184 0.790 224 0.739 264 0.695
65 0.989 105 0.912 145 0.845 185 0.788 225 0.738 265 0.694

66 0.987 106 0.910 146 0.844 186 0.787 226 0.737 266 0.693
67 0.985 107 0.908 147 0.842 187 0.786 227 0.736 267 0.692
68 0.983 108 0.906 148 0.841 188 0.784 228 0.735 268 0.691
69 0.981 109 0.905 149 0.839 189 0.783 229 0.733 269 0.690
70 0.979 110 0.903 150 0.838 190 0.782 230 0.732 270 0.689

71 0.977 111 0.901 151 0.836 191 0.780 231 0.731 271 0.688
72 0.975 112 0.899 152 0.835 192 0.779 232 0.730 272 0.687
73 0.973 113 0.898 153 0.833 193 0.778 233 0.729 273 0.686
74 0.971 114 0.896 154 0.832 194 0.776 234 0.728 274 0.685
75 0.969 115 0.894 155 0.830 195 0.775 235 0.727 275 0.684

76 0.967 116 0.893 156 0.829 196 0.774 236 0.725 276 0.683
77
78
79
0.965
0.963
0.961
117
118
119
0.891
0.889
0.887
157
158
159
0.827
0.826
0.825
197
198
199
0.772
0.771
0.770
Ct = 0.841
237
238
239
0.724
0.723
0.722
277
278
279
0.682
0.681
0.680
80 0.959 120 0.886 160 0.823 200 0.769 240 0.721 280 0.679

81 0.957 121 0.884 161 0.822 201 0.767 241 0.720 281 0.678
82 0.955 122 0.882 162 0.820 202 0.766 242 0.719 282 0.677
83 0.953 123 0.881 163 0.819 203 0.765 243 0.718 283 0.676
84 0.951 124 0.879 164 0.817 204 0.764 244 0.717 284 0.675
85 0.949
Tv = 148 F
125 0.877 165 0.816 205 0.762 245 0.715 285 0.674

 0 FxDV 
TV  TS   
86 0.947 126 0.876 166 0.814 206 0.761 246 0.714 286 0.673
87 0.945 127 0.874 167 0.813 207 0.760 247 0.713 287 0.672

 100 ft 
88 0.943 128 0.872 168 0.812 208 0.759 248 0.712 288 0.671
89 0.941 129 0.871 169 0.810 209 0.757 249 0.711 289 0.670
90 0.939 130 0.869 170 0.809 210 0.756 250 0.710 290 0.669

91 0.938 131 0.868 171 0.807 211 0.755 251 0.709 291 0.668
92 0.936 132 0.866 172 0.806 212 0.754 252 0.708 292 0.667
93 0.934 133 0.864 173 0.805 213 0.752 253 0.707 293 0.666
94 0.932 134
 Pd @ 600 F   
0.863 174

1
0.803


214 0.751 254 0.706 294 0.665

TCF  Ct    
95 0.930 135 0.861 175 0.802 215 0.750 255 0.705 295 0.664

96 0.928 136

 Pd @Tv    1  0.00215TV  60 

0.860 176 0.800 216 0.749 256 0.704 296 0.663

   
97 0.926 137 0.858 177 0.799 217 0.748 257 0.702 297 0.662
98 0.924 138 0.856 178 0.798 218 0.746 258 0.701 298 0.662
99 0.923 139 0.855 179 0.796 219 0.745 259 0.700 299 0.661
100 0.921 140 0.853 180 0.795 220 0.744 260 0.699 300 0.660 114
  R  
TRO  PVO    Pt  PC  xCt
 1  R  

(TRO) Definition: The opening pressure to which the valve is set at

the surface under test rack conditions ( Pvo @ 60°F) corresponding
to the desired opening pressure in the well.

Note :
To set dome pressure @ 60F to a value representing dome pressure
@ valve depth condition.
Real Gas Low must be used for correction:

 60  460xZ600F xPd valve .depth  

Pd 600F    
 Tvalve .depth  460  xZvalve .depth  

or using temperature correction charts .Fig.3D-1 or Table A.1

115
Fig # (3D-1)
Pd @
valve Temp.

Tv
Nitrogen Dome pressure
@ Valve Temp.,psig

Pd @ 60 F

Nitrogen Dome pressure

@ 60 F
T.N.Daw
Gas Lift Valve Cell Test.bench@ 600F  150C

Air Gauge Nitrogen

Gauge

Air Compressor
117
 Gas injection pressure Table Charging Valve
from Gas Plant 1500 psi

Air Set-up

Air
Charging

Nitrogen
Filling

Autumn-2022
 Table Test Valve

Valve
Housing
Pressure
Gauge

119
  Example (1)
Suppose a Nitrogen pressure operated valve is located @ 5100 ft
with following data:
 Dome (Nitrogen) Pressure(Pd) = 700 psi @ 60 F

 Area of bellows (Ab) = 0.77 inch sq.

 Area of port (Ap) = 0.129 inch sq.

 Temperature @ valve depth = 200 F

Calculate, The Nitrogen pressure @ valve depth ?

Solution

From the Fig # (3D-1) .

The Nitrogen pressure @ valve depth = 903 psi

T.N.Daw
Fig # (3D-1)

Pd @ 5100 ft
= 903 psi
Nitrogen Dome pressure
@ Valve Temp.,psig

Tv= 200 F
@ 5100 ft

Pd =700 psi

Nitrogen Dome pressure

@ 60 F
T.N.Daw
 Example (2)
Given :
Dv = 6000 ft Actual Avg. T= 110F
Gas Sp.g = 0.6 Pt = 500 psi
R= 0.1 Pd @ Tv = 815 psi
Ts= 70 F
 1 .3 F 
TV  70   
Calculate , Ptro → Assuming →  100 ft



Solution
 1.3 x6000 
TV  70     148F 
0
Ct  0.841  fromTable  A.1
 100 

 Pd @ 600 F  
TCF  Ct    Pd @ 600 F  0.841x815  685 psi
 Pd @Tv  
 
 Pd @ 600 F  
Ptro    685  761psi
 1  R  1  0.1
  T.N.Daw
 Example (3)

The following data are available:

 Injection depth = 6,300 ft , Tsf = 100 F
 Dome pressure @ valve depth = 817 psi

 Surface opening pressure = 900 psi

 Gas.Sp.gr = 0.75

 Temp. @ valve depth = 126 F ,

 Valve depth @ 2347 ft , R = 0.2562

Find :
Test rack opening pressure @ 60F ?

123
 Solution

 520xPd valve .depth  520x817 

Pd 600F       725psi
 Tvalve .depth  460   126  460 

The Z factors can be determined using the Hall–Yarborough correlation.

Computer database Hall- Yarborough.

Z60F = 0.80 at 725 psi & 60F 520x0.8 x817

Pd ( 600F )   683psi
586x0.85
Z126F = 0.85 at 725 psi & 126 F.
 Pd @ 600 F   683
Ptro      918psi
 1  R  1  0.25621
  T.N.Daw
 Example (4)
The following data are available:
 Depth of valve = 4000 ft , Tsf = 80 F
 Surface closing pressure of valve = 600 psi

 Gas.Sp.gr = 0.65

 Temp. @ valve depth = 120 F ,

 R = 0.143

Calculate :
Test rack opening pressure of the valve ?

From Fig.3A-1 →→ Gas gradient = 14 psi/ 1000ft


Pd 60 F   PVC  PSC  Dv xGas.grad  psi
1000 ft
  600   4000x14 
1000 
 656 psi

From Fig.3D-1 →We find that 656 psi @ 120 F → Pd @ 60 F = 595psi

 Pd @ 600 F   595
Ptro     695psi
 1 R  1  0.143
 
 Fig # (3A-1)

Psc = 600 psi

The injection gas
pressure at depth and the
injection gas gradient
need to be determined.
Ɣg =0.65 Use charts for different
gas gravities at assumed
average temperature
Gas grad = conditions or calculated
14 psi/1000 ft for various injection
pressures.

T.N.Daw
Gas pressure gradient, psi/1000 ft
Fig # (3D-1)

Pd = 656 psig
@ 120 F
Tv= 120 F

Pd = 595 psig
@ 60 F T.N.Daw
Example (5) Given :
R= 0.11 Pd = 800 psig @ Tv (142F)
Ts= 60 F
Calculate , Pvo @ (60F & 90F)
Solution
FromTable  A.1  Ct ( 600F &900F )  0.85, 0.939
 Pd @ 60 F 
Ct     Pd @ 60 F 0  0.85x800  680 psig
 Pd @T 
 v 
 Pd @ 600 F  
Pvo @ 600F      680  764psig
 1  R  1  0.11
 
 Pd @ 60 F   680 
Pd (900F )     724 psig
C 0   0.939 
 t @ 90 F 
 Pd @ 900 F  
Pvo @ 900F      724  813psig
 1  R  1  0.11
 
 Nitrogen Charged Nitrogen
Dome Valve Gas Charge
Pd
(Single Loading Element) Loading Element
R 20 , 1½ “
Nitrogen charge acts on the
bellows; exerting a force Metallic Bellows
pushing the ball beside the
Responsive Element
port

Ab
Stem
Transmission Element
Gas flow –inlet
(Pc)

Ball
Plug Mixture Fluid
Ap (Pt)

Seat T.N.Daw
 (IPOV) Opening and Closing Equations (Single element)
Valve closed Ready to open
Closing Force → Fc = Pd x Ab
F=PXA
Fc= (summation of all forces trying to push the ball on seat)

Opening Force → Fo = Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap

Fo= (summation of all forces trying to push the ball off seat)

Just Before The Valve Open, The Force are Equal →( Fc = Fo )

 Pd  PtxR   The casing pressure at depth required to

Pc  PVO   
 1 R open a valve under operating conditions.
 Ap 
R = Valve Ratio = 
 A 
 b 
 Dv xWg 
Pso  Pvo    Valve surface opening pressure.
 1000 
Wg = Weight of gas column,psi/1000 ft Autumn-2022
Valve opened Ready to close
Closing Force → Fc = Pd x Ab
Opening Force → Fo = Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pc Ap

Just Before The Valve Closed, The Force are Equal →( Fc = Fo )

Pvc  Pvo x1  R  Pt xR The casing pressure at depth

must be reduced to a point less
than the dome pressure for the
valve to close.
Pc  PVc  Pd
 Dv xWg 
Valve surface closing pressure. Psc  Pvc   
Where:  1000 
Pd = Pressure in dome, psi
Pt = Tubing pressure @ valve depth when the valve open , psi
Pc = Casing pressure @ valve depth required to open the valve, psi
Ab = Area of bellows, sq.”
T.N.Daw
Ap = Seat (port) area of , sq”.
 Pressure Drop In GLV (Spread)

Defined: As the difference between the opening and closing

pressures ( Pvo) & ( Pvc ) of a gas lift valve.

P  Spread@ valve .depth   P  P

vo vc

P  Spread@ surface   P  P
so sc

Spread
Is important in intermittent gas lift because it controls the volume
of gas used in each cycle. As the spread increases the amount of gas
injected during the cycle increases.
 If spread is big→ means it will give chance to gas to enter tubing.
 If spread is small→ only small amount of gas will enter tubing.
T.N.Daw
Production Pressure Effect Factor (Tubing Effect Factor) &
Tubing Effect

 R  AP
P.P.E.F  TEF    x100  x100
1 R  Ab  AP

 R 
T .E  Pt xT .E.F  Pt  
1 R 

if → ∆Pmin = 0 will occur where → Pt = Pd

if → ∆Pmax will occur where → Pt = 0

 R 1-R

Port Size (d) Port Area  AP 

R
 A 
(Ap)  b 
Bellows Area
(Ab)

AP
TEF  x100
Ab  AP

134
 Example (6)
Suppose a pressure operated valve is located @ 6200 ft with
following data:
 Tubing pressure(Pt) = 325 psi

 Dome Pressure(Pd) = 800 psi

 Area of bellows (Ab) = 0.77 inch sq.

 Area of port (Ap) = 0.129 inch sq.

1- Calculate the casing pressure required to open (Pvo) and

closing (Pvc) the valve ?
2- Valve Spread, T.E.F and T.E?

135
 Solution

The casing pressure required to open the valve is :

 800  325x0.167 
PVO  PC     895psi
 1  0.167 

The casing (dome) pressure required to close the valve is :

PVC  Pd  800psi or Pvc  Pvo x1  R  Pt xR

 895x0.833  325x0.167  800psi

So, we require higher Pc to open valve as Pt decrease.

Start injecting gas in casing the valve is closed.
Until Pc is raised to 895 psi, then valve will open and gas enters tubing.
So, Pc start to decline and until it reaches 800 psi.
Then valve is closed. Autumn-2022
If Pt = 0, then Pvo = 895 + 65 = 960 psi
(This is called the max. Pc Required to open valve).

 800  Tubing Effect

PC  Max      960psi
 1  0.167  (T.E)

There fore, Pt =325 psi reduces Pvo to 895 psi.

 0.167
Spread  P psi   895 800   800  325  95 psi
1  0.167 

 0.167 
TEF    x100  20%
 1  0.167 
This means tubing pressure effect factor on system is 20%.
And casing pressure effect factor on system is 80%.

T .E  Pt xT.E.F  325x0.2  65psi

T.N.Daw
 Example (7)
Assume we have a valve dome charged pressure.
 Dome Pressure(Pd) = 700 psig @ 80F
 Area of bellows (Ab) = 1 inch sq.

 Area of port (Ap) = 0.1 inch sq.

Find the opening pressure of this valve if the tubing pressure is zero psig.
and how much spread ? Solution
 P  ( Pt xR)  700
The Pressure required to open the valve @ Pt=0 PCO   d   778 psig
 1  R  1  0 .1

The Pressure required to close the valve is : PCC  Pd  700 psi

The Spread on this valve with zero tubing pressure : P  778  700  78 psi
Pt Δp = Spread
(psig) (psi)
Max. Spread
0.0 78
200 55
400 33 Min.Spread
700 0.0

Thus, Spread of the valve decrease as Tubing pressure increase

 Calculating Static Injection Gas Pressure at any Depth

Usually the gas injected pressure is controlled

From the surface ( Root ) .
But we need to calculate pressure ( Pvo & Pvc ) at depth?

 A B 
 0.01875 x gas xDepth   0.01875 x gas xDepth 
   

P@ Depth  PSurface xe  TxZ

   PSurface x 2.72  TxZ 

Where:
P@depth = Operating injection gas pressure at depth , psia
PSurface = Operating injection gas pressure at surface , Psia,
e = Napier an logarithm base = 2.72
T = Average gas temperature from bottom to surface, R
Zavg = Compressibility factor based on average P & T , dimensionless.
(Simplified compressibility factor chart for natural gases)
T.N.Daw
D = Is the depth at which you calculated valve depth, ft
 Equation  A
Can be expressed in an alternate form in terms of
common Logarithms

 gasxD

P@ Deptht  Pwhx10
122.7 xT xZ avg

 Example (8), Given the following data:

 Gas Sp.gr = 0.7

 Atmospheric pressure= 14.7 psia

 Gas temperature at wellhead = 100 F

 Gas temperature at depth = 170 F
 Injection gas pressure at surface = Pwh = Pso = 600 psig

 Assumed ( Z= O.912 ).

Calculate the pressure opposite a valve depth of 6000 ft ?

 gasxD
Solution
P@ 6000 ft  Pwhx10
122.7 xT xZ avg

0.7 x 6000
 614.7 x10 122.7 x 595 x 0.912
 710.6 psia  696 psig 140
 Example (9) , Given the following data:
 Gas Sp.gr = 0.7

 Atmospheric pressure= 14.7 psia

 Gas temperature at wellhead, Twh =80 F.

 Gas temperature at depth, Tgd =200 F.

 Injection gas pressure at surface , Pso = 1000 psig

 Assumed ( Z= O.865 ).

Calculate the static gas pressure at the depth of 8000 ft ?

Solution
 TS  Tinj   80  200 
T        140  460  600R
 2   2 

  gas xD   0.7 x8000 

      0.2022
 53.34 xT xZ   53.34 x 600x 0.865 

P@ 8000  1000xe0.2022  1224psig 141

 Example (10)
The following data are available:
 Nitrogen gas pressure @ surface (TRO) = 800 psi @ 60F

 Valve depth @ 5000 ft

 Temperature @ valve depth = 190 F , Gas.Sp.g = 0.7

Calculte :
The nitrogen gas pressure @ valve depth?
Solution

From Fig.3A-1 →→ ∆Pchart= 20.6psi/ 1000ft = 0.0206 psi/ft

 
 60  460 
Pcor  20.6 1000
psi

ft 60  190
  18.3psi / 1000 ft  0.0183 psift
  460 

 2 

Pvo  Pso  Pcor xDepth  800  0.0183x5000  892psi

 Fig # (3A-1)

Pso = 800 psi

The injection gas

Ɣg =0.7
pressure at depth and the
injection gas gradient
need to be determined.
Use charts for different
gas gravities at assumed
average temperature
Gas grad = conditions or calculated
20.6 psi/1000 ft for various injection
pressures.

T.N.Daw
Gas pressure gradient, psi/1000 ft
 Example (11)
The following data are available:
 Tubing pressure at valve location = 655 psi

 Surface opening pressure = Pso = 800 psi

 Temp. @ valve depth = 180 F , Ts= 100 F

 Valve depth @ 8000 ft Gas.Sp.g = 0.7
 Valve size 1½” OD , ½” port , R = 0.256
 Valve charged with N2 @ 60 F

Find :
1- Pvo , Pvc and ∆P @ valve depth ?
2- Surface closing pressure (Psc) ?
3- PValve @ surface?
4- Test rack opening pressure @ 60F ?
Autumn-2022
 Solution
The Pressure required to open the valve is :
 Pd  PtxR  
Pc  PVO   
 1 R

From Fig.3A-1 →→ ∆Pchart= 21psi/ 1000ft = 0.021 psi/ft

 Chart. Avg.Temp 
   
 100  460   Actual. Avg .Temp 
Pcor  21 1000 ft 
psi
  19.6psi / 1000 ft  0.0196 psi
 100  180  460 
ft
 
 2 

Pvo  Pso  Pcor xDepth  800  0.0196x8000  957psi

The Pressure required to close the valve is :

 Pd  655x0.256 
957     Pd  880 psi  Pvc
 1  0.256 
T.N.Daw
 Fig # (3A-1)

Pso = 800 psi

Ɣg =0.7

Gas grad =
21 psi/1000 ft

146
Gas pressure gradient, psi/1000 ft
The Spread(∆P)@ 8000 ft = P  957  880  77psi

The surface closing pressure, Psc :

Psc  Pvc  Pcor xDepth  880  0.0196x8000  723psi

The Spread(∆P)surface = P  880  723  77psi

The test rack opening pressure, Ptro :

Ct  0.795  @Tv  180F  fromTable  A.1

 Pd @ 600 F  
Ct     P  0.795x880  700psi
 Pd @Tv   d @ 600 F
 

 Pd @ 600 F   700
Ptro    941psi
 1  R  1  0.256
  147
 Example (12)
Graphically describe the casing pressure for gas lift well.
Given the following data :
 Depth of packer = 8000 ft , Ts= 80 F
 Surface operating gas lift pressure = 800 psi

 Actual Avg.Temp. = 120°F

 Gas.Sp.gr = 0.65
 934  800) 
PGrd     16.7 psi / 1000 ft  0.0167 psi / ft
Solution  8000 

From Fig.3A-1 →→ ∆Pchart = 18 psi/ 1000ft = 0.018 psi/ft

psi  80  460 
Pcor  18 1000    16.7 psi
 0.0167 psi

 120  460 
ft 1000 ft ft

The casing pressure @ 8000 ft is:

Pc  Pso  Pcor xDepth  800  0.0167x8000  934psi
148
 Pso = 800 psi Pc @ surface 800 psi

200 400 800 Pressure, psi

Gas

4000
Gas gradient column
16.7 psi/1000 ft
Depth, ft

8000

Pc = 934 psi

The differential casing pressure =

Pc  Pvo  Pso  934  800  134psi
PBTD
14000 ft T.N.Daw
 Example (13)
For a pressure operated valve (Single Load).
, The following data are given:
 Tubing pressure = 600 psi Tsf = 100 F
 Tubing size = 2 ⅞” OD, 2” ID
 Casing size = 5 ½” OD, 17 lb/ft
 Surface opening pressure = 800 psi T@ 8500 ft = 200 F
 Gas.SP.gr = 0.7 , (Ab) = 0.8 inch sq.
 Total gas volume = 6000 SCF.

Calculate:
1- Pvo @ 60 F.
2- Valve port size.
3- Surface closing pressure of valve(Psc)
150
 Solution

From )Fig.3A-1( Gas gradient = ∆P chart = 21 psi/ 1000ft

 
 100  460 
Pcor  21 1000
psi
  x8500  164psi
 
 460 
ft 200 100

 2 

PVO  PSO  Pcor   800  164  964psi

 6000   706 
Gas.volume      From.Fig .3H  3  P  Spread  102 psi
 8500   1000 

P  Pvo  Pvc  Pvc  Pvo  P  964  102  862 psi  Pd @valvedepth 

Spread  P 
R
Pd  Pt   102   R 862  600   R   0.389
1 R 1 R  1 R 

 Ap 
R  0.28
Ap
R   0.28  Ap  0.224in 2
 Ab  0.8
Fig # (3H-3)

Pressure Reduction ,psi

ID = 2 “

∆P = 102 psi

Gas Volume , SCF/1000 ft

706 SCF/1000 ft
152
 Fig. 3D-1 or Table A-1

 Pd @ 600 F  
Pvo @ 600F   TRO     667  926psi
 1  R  1  0.28
 

 2
Ap  0.224in   xd   d  0.534"  portsize
2

4 

The Surface closing pressure :

Psc  Pvc  Pcor xDepth  862  0.021x8500  683psi

P  Pso  Psc  Psc  Pso  P  800  102  698psi  Pd @ surface 

T.N.Daw
 H.W #3
An operating valve in an intermittent installation is run to 7,500 ft.
where the following data are available:

 The tubing pressure due to a starting liquid slug is = 400 psig

 Surface operating gas lift pressure = 900 psi
 Temp. @ valve depth = 190°F
 Gas.Sp.gr = 0.8 , R= 0.26
 Valve size 1½” OD , ½” port ,CAMCO j-20
Find the following parameters:
a- The opening pressure at valve depth?
b- The closing pressure at setting depth?
c- Valve spread at valve depth ?
d- The required test rack opening pressure?

154
From Fig.3A-1 →→ ∆Pchart = 27psi/ 1000ft = 0.027 psi/ft
 
 80  460 
Pcor  27 1000
psi

ft 190  80
  24.5psi / 1000 ft  0.0245
psi

 
ft
  460 
 2 
The Pressure required to open the valve @ setting depth is :

Pvo  Pso  Pcor xDepth  900  0.0245x7500  1084psi

The Pressure required to close the valve @ setting depth is :

 P  (400x0.26) 
1084   d   Pd  906 psi  Pvc
 1  0.26 

The valve spread @ setting depth is : P  1084  906  178psi

TRO (Ptro) :  Pd @ 60 F
Ct  

  Pd @ 60 F  0.782x906  708 psi
 Pd @ T 
 v 
 Pd @ 600 F   708
Ptro    957psi
 1 R  1  0.26 T.N.Daw
 
 H.W #4
The following data are available:
 Up-stream pressure = 950 psi

 Up-stream temperature = 100 F

 Down-stream pressure = 650 psi

 Gas flow rate = 2000 MSCF/D

 Gas-specific heat ratio = 1.3

 Gas viscosity = 0.02 cp Gas.Sp.g = 0.7

 Tubing size 2.259” ID

 Flow coefficient ( C ) = 0.6

 Valve size 1½” OD

Determine:
The port diameter (dp).

156
 H.W# 5
Given the following data (Single element IPOV):
 Tubing pressure = 400 psig
 Operating valve depth = 7500ft @190 F
 Surface operating pressure = 900 psig
 Gas Sp.gr = 0.8
 Area of bellows (Ab) = 0.77 inch sq.
 Area of port (Ap) = 0.2 inch sq.
Calculate :
1- Pvo and Pvc @ valve depth .
2- Spread (∆P) @ valve depth.
3- Test rack opening pressure.

157
 Solution

1-The gas gradient for   gas  0.8  Pso  900psi

With out corrected by 190 F = 27/1000 = 0.027 psi/ft

PCo  PSo  Dv xgasgrd   900  7500x0.027  1103psig

2- Since Pco & Pt at valve depth are known, then

Pcc  Pd  Pco 1  R  Pt R  11031  0.26  4000.26  920 psig

3- Spread )∆P( = 1103 – 920 = 183 psig

4- To determine dome pressure @ 60F is found from Fig 3D-1

 Pd @ 60 F   720 
Pd @ 60 F  720 psig  TRO        973 psig
 1 R   0.74  158
 Charged Dome and Spring Pd Nitrogen
Gas Charge
Unbalanced bellows valve with
pressure-charged dome and spring
(Double Loading Element) Metallic Bellows
RDO 5 , 1½”
When using this type of valve in high Ab
pressure installations, it may be
Spring
necessary to supplement the spring
Supplement Force
force with a dome charge because a
spring alone may not develop
St
adequate closing force.
Gas flow –inlet
Spring (Pc)
Adjustment Nut

Reservoir Fluid
Ap
T.N.Daw
 Spring prevents damage to the
bellows due to excessive collapse Check Valve
when exposed to forces much
greater than those generated by
the nitrogen charge

Oaring
(Seal Rubber)
Valve Latch

Spring Valve Assembly T.N.Daw

 (IPOV) Opening and Closing Equations (Double element)
Valve closed Ready to open
Closing Force → Fc = Pd x Ab + St (Ab – Ap)
F=PXA
Opening Force → Fo = Pt x Ap + Pc (Ab - Ap)

Just Before The Valve Closed, The Force are Equal → ( Fc = Fo )

At Moment of Opening the Valve…..

 Pd  Pt xR  P xR

Pc  PVO    St PVO  St   t 
  1 R 
 1 R 
The tension of the spring
is expressed as pressure. If the dome is not charged, all of the opening
force will be supplied by the Spring.
Where : R = Ratio (Ap /Ab)
St = an equivalent pressure caused by Spring Tension, psi 161
Valve opened Ready to close

At Moment of Closing the Valve….

Pc  PVc  Pd  St 1  R

 Pd  Pt xR 
Spread  P     S t  Pd  S t 1  R 
 1 R 
Note:
When the valve is open, the pressure under the ball is casing pressure Pc.

 Pd @ 600 F  
Ptro    St
 1 R 
 
T.N.Daw
  Example (14)
Given the following data: ( Spring Not Effect )
 Tubing pressure = 325 psi
 Dome Pressure = 520 psi
 Area of bellows (Ab) = 0.77 inch sq.
 Area of port (Ap) = 0.129 inch sq.
Calculate:
Pvo , Pvc and the spread for the single element loading valve?
Solution
The Pressure required to open the valve @ setting depth is :
 Pd  Pt xR   520  325x0.167
PVO     St     0.0  559psi
 1 R   1  0.167 
The Pressure required to close the valve @ setting depth is :

PVC  Pd  520 psi P  559  520  39psi

T.N.Daw
 Example (15)
Given the following data: ( Spring Effect )
 Tubing pressure = 325 psi
 Dome Pressure = 240 psi , Ab = 0.77 inch.sq
 Spring tension = 280 psi , Ap = 0.129 inch.sq
Calculate,
Pvo , Pvc and the spread for the double element loading valve?

Solution
The Pressure required to open the valve :
 P  Pt xR   240  325x 0.167 
PVO   d   S t     280  503psi
 1  R   1  0.167 
The Pressure required to close the valve :
PVc  Pd  St 1  R  240  2801  0.167  473psi
P  503  473  30psi T.N.Daw
 Example (16)

The following data are available: (Spring Not Effect)

 Tubing pressure at valve location = 424 psi

 Surface opening pressure = 900 psi

 Temp. @ valve depth = 126 F , Tsf= 100 F

 Valve depth @ 2347 ft , Gas.SP.gr = 0.75
 Valve size 1½” OD , ½” port ,

 R = 0.256

 Z @ 60F = 0.8

 Z @ valve depth= 0.85

Find :
Pvo , Pvc & Test rack opening pressure @ 60F ?

T.N.Daw
 Solution

From )Fig.3A-1( Gas gradient = ∆P chart = 25 psi/ 1000ft = 0.025 psi/ft

 
 100  460 
Pcor  25 1000
psi

ft 100  126
  24.4 psi / 1000 ft  0.0244
psi

 
ft
  460 
 2 

Pvo  Pso  Pcor xDepth  900  0.0244x2347  957psi

 Pd  Pt xR    Pd  424x0.256

PVO    S  957     0  Pd  821psi
 1 R 
t
 1  0.256 

PVc  Pd  St 1  R  821 0 x1  0.167  821psi

520x0.8 x821
Pd ( 600F )   686psi  P   686   0  922psi
586x0.85  1  0.256 
tro
 Example (17)

The following data are available:

(Two Unbalanced Bellows charged valves )
 Have the same TRO = 1,200 psig

 One has a spring with a spring force effect (St) = 500 psig

 Valve size 1½” OD , ½” port ,

 Ab = 0.77 sq.inch

 Ap = 0.154 sq.inch

Find :
Find the bellows charge pressure required for each valve.

T.N.Daw
 Solution

 For the valve without a spring

 Pd @ 600 F  
Ptro   P  1200x0.8  960psig
 1 R  d @ 600 F
 

Spring Affect
 The other valve contains a spring

 Pd @ 600 F  
Ptro     St  P 0  TRO  St 1  R   1200  500x0.8  560psig
 1 R  d @ 60 F
 

As seen, the spring-loaded valve could be charged to a much lower

gas pressure because of the high spring force effect (500 psig).
T.N.Daw
 Example (18)

For a pressure operated valve, the following data are given:

 Valve Depth = 6000 ft ,Ts = 70 F

 Spring tension = 75 psi

 Surface opening pressure @ 60F = 600 psi

 T @ 6000 ft = 160 F , R = 0.11

 Lift gas.gra = 0.7

Nitrogen charged bellows & spring loaded valve.

Calculate,
1- Pvo @ 6000 ft
2- Pvo @ surface?
Spring-2022
 Solution

Pd @600 F  Ptro  St 1  R   600  751  0.11  467psig

From )Fig.3D-1( Dome pressure @ 160 F = 560 psig

 Pd  Pt xR    560  100x0.11 

PVO 6000 ft     St 
   75  692psig
 1 R   1  0.11 

From Fig.3A-3 @ Pvo= 692 , 6000ft →→→Pso (surface) = 605 psig

T.N.Daw
 Fig # (3A-3)

Pso= 605 psi

(Pso, Psc)@ Surface

Dv= 6000 ft

(Pvo, Pvc)@ Depth Pvo= 692 psi

171
Autumn-2022
 Example (19)
For a pressure operated valve, the following data are given:
 Tubing pressure = 600 psi Ts = 80 F
 Spring tension = 400 psi

 Surface opening pressure = 700 psi T@ 6000 ft = 160 F

 Lift gas.gra = 0.65

 Valve, 1½” OD , ⅜ “ Port , (Ab) = 0.77 inch sq.

 Valve Depth = 6000 ft

Combination bellows & spring charged valve .

Calculate
1- Pvo , Pvc @ 6000 ft ?
2- Test rack opening pressure @ 60F ?
3- Spread ?
172
 Solution

D 2  3 / 82  Ap   0.11 
Ap    0.11in  R  
2
     0.1428
4 4  Ab   0.77 

From )Fig.3A-1( Gas gradient = ∆P chart = 16.5psi/ 1000ft = 0.0165 psi/ft

 
 80  460 
Pcor  16.5 1000
psi

ft 80  160
  15.4 psi / 1000 ft  0.0154
psi

 
ft
  460 
 2 

Pvo  Pso  Pcor xDepth  700  0.0154x6000  792psi

 P  Pt xR   
 Pd  600x0.1428
 400
PVO   d   S  792  
 1 R 
t
 1  0.1428 

Pd  422psi
T.N.Daw
PVc  Pd  St 1  R  422  4001  0.1428  765psi

P  792  765  27psi

 Pd @ 60 F 
Ct     Ct  0.823  @Tv  160F  fromTable  A.1
 Pd @ T 
 v 

Pd @ 600 F  0.823x422  347psig

 Pd @ 600 F    347 
Ptro     S  Ptro     400  808psig
 1 R  t  1  0.1428 
 

T.N.Daw
Problem
A casing pressure operated valve is to be run at a depth of 2000 ft, when
the operating temperature is expected to be 100 F.
The valve has valve ratio (R=0.1) and a spring effect of 200 psig.
Calculate
 Nitrogen pressure at depth is required in the bellows, if the closing
pressure desired @ depth is 900 psig.
 What Nitrogen pressure must be placed in the valve @ 60 F.

Solution

PVc  Pd  St 1  R 900  Pd  2001  0.1  Pd  720psig

From.Fig.3D  1@ TV  100F 0 , Pd  720psi

Pd @ 600 F  660psig
T.N.Daw
 Fluid Operated Valve Pd Nitrogen
Gas Charge
It is similar to pressure valve except, the
tubing pressure acts on the larger area of
the bellows and the casing pressure acts Metallic Bellows
on the area of the port General force
balance equations will be resultant which
can be used for: Ab
1- Dome charge with No Spring.
2- Spring with No Dome charge. Spring

3- Combination (Spring & Dome charge). St

This is a double element valve with both
dome and spring as the loading(closing
force). When using this type of valve in Pt Reservoir Fluid
high pressure installations, it may be
necessary to supplement (increase) the
spring force with a dome charge because
Gas injection
a spring alone may not develop adequate
closing force. Ap Pc
T.N.Daw
 (FPOV) Opening and Closing Equations (Double element)
Valve closed Ready to open

Closing Force → Fc = Pd x Ab + St (Ab – Ap)

Opening Force → Fo = Pc x Ap + Pt (Ab - Ap)

Just Before The Valve Closed, The Force are Equal → ( Fc = Fo )

At Moment of Opening the Valve…..

 Pd   R 
P  PVO     St  Pc  
t 1  R  1 R 
Casing Effect (C.E)

At effect the spring charge to open this valve → The dome pressure = 0.0
Then St = Ptro
--------------------------------------------------
177
At effect the dome charge to open this valve → The spring tension = 0.0
Valve opened Ready to close

Closing Force → Fc = Pd x Ab + St (Ab – Ap)

Opening Force → Fo = Pt x Ab
Just Before The Valve Close, The Force are Equal → ( Fc = Fo )

At Moment of Closing the Valve…..

PVC  Pt  Pd  St 1  R
The tubing pressure required to open
the valve with No effect casing
pressure→ Pc = 0 in valve tester
.
 Pd @ 600 F   R   R 
Ptro    St C.E    C.E.F    x100
 1 R  1 R  1 R 
 
 Example (20)
Double element fluid valve with dome charge & spring.
Data are given:
 Surface operating pressure = 800 psi

 SP.gr of injection gas = 0.7

 Valve depth = 8000 ft
 R = 0.0407 , Ts = 100 F
 Tv = 180 F , St = 300 psi
 Pvc= 770 psi

Calculate:
1- Opening pressure @ valve depth (Pvo) ?
2- Test rack opening pressure (Ptro) ?

179
 Solution

From Fig.3A-1 →→ ∆Pchart = 21psi/ 1000ft = 0.021 psi/ft

 
 100  460 
Pcor  21 1000
psi

ft 100  180
  19.6 psi / 1000 ft  0.0196
psi

 
ft
  460 
 2 

PC  Pso  Pcor xDepth  800  0.0196x8000  957psi

PVc  Pd  St 1  R
770  Pd  3001  0.0407  Pd  482psi
 P   R   482   0.0407 
PVO   d   S t  Pc  
    300  957   761psi
1  R   1  R  1  0.0407  1  0.0407 

Ct  0.795  @Tv  180F  fromTable  A.1

Pd @ 600 F  0.795x482  383psig  Ptro  

383 
  300  699psig
 1  0.0407 
  Example (21)
Given the following data:
 Tubing pressure = 200 psi

 Ap = 0.154 inch.sq

 Ab = 0.77 inch.sq

 Tv = 160 F

 The valve test rack opening pressure is 500 psig.

Calculate: Tubing effect & Spread (∆P) ?

Solution

Calculate dome pressure @ 60F

 Pd @ 600F 
Ptro 
 1 R

  Pd @ 600F   Ptro x1  R 
 
 500x1  0.2  400psi
 From Fig (3D-1) Find dome pressure @ down-hole condition(160F)

 R  0.2
Pd @1600F   480psig TEF    x100  x100  25%
1 R  1  0.2
 R 
T .E  Pt xT .E.F  Pt    200x0.25  50psig
 1  R 

P  TEF Pd  Pt   0.25480  200  70psig

P  Ptro  Pvc  Pvc  Ptro x1  R

Seat 1–R Ptro (psi) PVC (psi) Δp = Ptro – PVC (psi)

1/8” 0.958 600 575 25
5/32” 0.934 600 560 40
3/16” 0.906 600 544 56
¼” 0.835 600 501 99
5/16” 0.745 600 447 153
Fig # (3D-1)

Tv= 160 F
Pd = 480 psig
@ 160 F

Pd = 400 psig
@ 60 F T.N.Daw
 Example (22)
For a fluid operated valve the following data are given:
 Tubing pressure = 650 psi
 Temp. @ valve depth = 180 F , Ts= 100 F
 Valve depth @ 7000 ft , Lift gas.gr = 0.65
 Valve size 1½” OD , 7/16” port , Ab = 0.77 in.sq
 Ptro = 850 psi , St = 600 psi
Find :
Surface opening pressure (Pso) & surface closing pressure (Psc) for:
1- Nitrogen charged valve only (No- spring) ?
2- Spring charged valve only ( zero charge for dome ) ?
3- Double loading combination ( dome charge with spring )?
 Solution

D 2  7 / 162 
 0.1503
Ap    0.1503in  R  0.77   0.1952
2

4 4

Pd @ 600F   Ptro x1  R   850x1  0.1952  684psi

Ct  0.795  fromTable  A.1@180o F

Pd @ 60O F 684
Pd @180 F 0    Pd  860 psi
Ct 0.795

 Pd  Pt xR    860  650x0.1952 

PVO       911psi
 1 R   1  0.1952 

T.N.Daw
1- From Fig.3A-3 @ Pvo=911 , 7000ft →→→ Pso= 785 psi
PVC  Pd  860 psi
From Fig.3A-3 @ Pvc= 860 , 7000ft → Psc= 742 psi

2- Pd  0.0

 P  Pt xR   0  650x0.1952 

PVO   d   S     600  759psi
1 R 1  0.1952
t
   

From Fig.3A-3 @ Pvo= 759 , 7000ft →→→ Pso= 660 psi

PVc  Pd  St 1  R  0  6001  0.1952  480psi

From Fig.3A-3 @ Pvc= 480 , 7000ft → Psc= 420 psi

186
 Fig # (3A-3)

Pso = 785 psi

(Pso, Psc)@ Surface

Dv= 7000
ft
Psc = 742 psi

Pvo = 911 psi

(Pvo, Pvc)@ Depth

Pvc = 860 psi
187
T.N.Daw
  Pd @ 600 F    Pd @ 600F 
3- Ptro     St  850     600
 1 R   1  0.1952 
   

Pd @ 600F   850  600x1  0.1952  121psi

 Pd @ 60 F 
Ct     Ct  0.795  fromTable  A.1@180o F
 Pd @ T 
 v   121 
Pd     152 psi
 0.795 
 Pd  Pt xR  152  650x 0.1952 
 600  631psi
PVO     St   
 1 R   1  0.1952 

From Fig.3A-3 @ Pvo= 631 , 7000ft →→→ Pso= 540 psi

PVc  Pd  St 1  R  152  6001  0.1952  632psi

From Fig.3A-3 @ Pvc= 632 , 7000ft →→→ Psc= 540 psi

 H.W# 6
A well is produced by gas lift, the surface operating gas pressure
1000 psia, the packer depth in the well @ 8500 ft .
 Gas Sp.gr = 0.65

 Actual Average Temperature = 130 F

 Tubing Fluid Pressure = 800 psia

 Constant ( R ) = 0.25
 Spring is set in the factory @ 500 psia

If the fluid operation valve is set @ 5000 ft .

Calculate
Pvo and Pvc @ valve depth and Pvc @ surface ?

189
 Solution

From  T  1300F   gas  0.65  Ps  1000psi

Enter → Fig 3-A1 →  gas  0.65  Ps  1000psi

And read gas gradient = 24.2 psi/1000ft = 0.0242 psi /ft .
@ 8500 packer depth → The pressure = 0.0242 x 8500 = 205.7 psi

1- We have to correct the pressure for temperature :

 Tchart 
Pcor  Pcal  
T 
 well  Actual  
2- We calculated average temperature of the curve :

  D  
 100   70  1.6 x  
   100   
Tchart  
2
 
  T.N.Daw
    8500   
100   70   1.6 x 
  100   
T chart   1530 F
 2 
 
 

153  460 
Pcor  205.7    214psia
130  460 

3-The pressure increase with depth = 214/8500 = 0.025 psi/ft

4- Calculate the pressure @ valve depth:

PC  Pso  Pcor xDepth  1000  0.025x5000  1125psi

191
  Pd   R 
5- PVO @ valve .depth     S t  Pc  1  R 
1  R 

 Pd   0.25 
800     500  1125  →Pd = 506 psia
1  0.25   1  0.25 

6-
PVc @ valve .depth   Pd  St 1  R 
= 506 + 500 ( 1 – 0.25 ) = 881 psia

7- PVc @ surface   Pvo ( valve .depth )  Gasgrd xDv 

= 881 - ( 0.025 x 5000 ) = 756 psia

 when Eq. (A) is used a Taylor series, and if common fluid properties for a
natural gas and reservoir are considered such as Gas SP.gr= 0.7, Z= 0.9
and T= 600 R, it can be estimated to:
D 
C 
 Dv  PC @ valvedepth
PC @ValveDepth  PC ( Surface) 1    PC @ surface 
 40000   DV 
1  
 40000 
 Example (19), Given the following data:
 Gas Sp.gr = 0.65

 Valve depth = 5000 ft

 Injection pressure at valve depth= 600 psia

Calculate casing pressure @ surface?

600
PC @ surface   533 psia
 5000 
1  
 40000  193
 H.W# 7
Given the following data:
 Gas Sp.gr = 0.7

 Depth gas injected @ 8,OOO ft.

 Gas temperature at surface, Tsurf = 80 F.

 Gas temperature at depth, Tf = 140 F.

 Injection gas pressure at surface , Pso = 900 psig

 Assumed ( Z= O.855 ).

Calculate,
The pressure at the injection point ?

194
 Solution
Trial and Error is required for solve this example.
Assume that (Pinj ) =1000 psi , Ppc = 668 psi , Tpc= 390 R
 900  1000   (80  140) 
1- And therefore →     460 
Ppr   2   1.42 Tpr   2   1.46
 668   
  390
   
 
2- From Figure → Z = 0.83 , and therefore
0.01875 X 0.7 X 8000
3-
P@8000  900xe 570 x 0.83
 1124 psi

Pinj= 1119 psi higher than the assumed value.

Recalculate Pinj using Psurf = 1124 psi. →→ Z = 0.855

Pinj= 1112 psi

Which agrees with the assumed value < 10 psi difference O.K
195
 Tubing Punch Depth Calculation

 Pso  Pwh 
[email protected]  
 Fluid 
 grd 

Where:
Pwh = Weel Head pressure , psi
PSO = Surface Opening gas pressure at surface , Psia,

 Example(22)
 Surface operating pressure = 1200 psig , Gas Sp.gr = 0.7
 Gas temperature at surface, Tsurf = 80 F. ,Water SP.gr = 1.01
 Well head pressure = 100 psig ,Tubing = 2-7/8” OD, ID 2.44”
 Well producing 95.7 % 43.7 API oil

Calculate, Tubing punch depth ? Solution

Avg.Fluid Grd. = ( 0.8076x 0.957+ 1.01x 0.043) x 0.433 = 0.353 psi/ft
 1200  100 
Depth@ Tubing. Punch    3114ft
 0.353  196