Gas-Lift Valves

R Series Injection Pressure-Operated,

Wireline-Retrievable Valves

Weatherford’s McMurry-Macco® R series injection pressure-operated

(IPO) gas-lift valves are the most frequently used valves in gas-lift systems
today because of their durability, performance and wireline retrievability.
These versatile valves are used for continuous or intermittent gas-lift
operations and for applications involving tubing flow or casing flow when
installed in an EC configuration side-pocket mandrel.
R series IPO gas-lift valves have a nitrogen-charged dome-and-bellows
configuration. Because nitrogen is affected by temperature, the preset
nitrogen dome pressure is calculated based on the operating temperature
at the production depth. The nitrogen charge located inside the bellows
acts on the three-ply MONEL® bellows to hold the valve in a closed
position. This closing force is opposed by two opening forces: the injection
gas pressure acting on the external side of the bellows, and the production
pressure acting over the area of the valve port. When these combined
opening forces exceed the nitrogen charge, the valve opens, and injection
gas flows into the production string.
All R series IPO gas-lift valves contain an integral check valve to prevent
the occurrence of reverse flow from the tubing to the casing. The check
valve uses dual seals. Initially, an elastomer seal is established. As the
differential pressure increases, a metal-to-metal seal is established.
Dual-check versions are available in the 1 1/2-in. OD valves for increased
protection against backflow.
The R series injection valves are available in stainless steel or MONEL
materials that meet NACE MR0175 requirements. Special erosion-
resistant coatings and a wide variety of standard, chemical-resistant and
high-temperature elastomers are also available.

Applications
• Continuous or intermittent gas-lift operation
• Tubing or casing flow applications (based on the side-pocket porting
configuration)
• Kickoff gas wells that are loaded up with production fluid
• Flowback enhancement of stimulation and waterflood applications

R-1 R-2B
Valve Valve

10 © 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.

 Gas-Lift Valves

R Series Injection Pressure-Operated,

Wireline-Retrievable Valves

Features, Advantages and Benefits

• Wireline-retrievable design eliminates the need to pull the tubing to repair or replace the valve.
• The unique positive bellows protection (PBP) feature of every R series 1 1/2-in. OD valve traps silicon fluid
within the bellows as the valve reaches its full open position. The trapped silicon fluid forms a hydraulic barrier
that protects the bellows from high hydrostatic pressures in the well.
• Maximum bellows travel stop prevents the bellows from stacking.
• Patented Teflon® support-ringed bellows are available (models R-1T and R-2T) for added support for bellows
convolution.
• Silicon-dampening fluid in the bellows also minimizes chattering, preventing valve seat damage and vibration
that can lead to failure of other valve components.
• Internal bellows guidance system prevents corkscrewing of the bellows, thereby increasing cycle life.
• Integral reverse-flow check valve, with elastomer primary seal and metal-to-metal secondary seal, prevents
tubing-to-casing communication, thus avoiding costly workover operations.
• Optional dual-check-valve design (model R-2DC) provides increased protection against backflow.
• The R-1BL model includes an integral bottom latch which acts as a backup for the primary latch.
• The R-1D model features a double O-ring seal on the tail plug that provides enhanced sealing integrity of the
nitrogen dome pressure charge, thereby increasing the service life of the valve. In addition, the design of these
models allows for an increased dome volume, which reduces the bellows load rate.
• Compatibility with all common top latches allows the valves to be deployed in a wide variety of applications.
• Replaceable floating MONEL or tungsten carbide seat allows the valve to be easily serviced.
• Standard packing element system enhances performance and extends the service life of the valve. Numerous
packing materials and elastomers are available to meet specific application requirements.
• Valves are available with special coatings to prevent scale buildup and enhance erosion resistance.

MONEL and Teflon are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

© 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved. 11

 Gas-Lift Valves

R Series Injection Pressure-Operated,

Wireline-Retrievable Valves

Specifications
Ab
Effective
Bellows Ap1
Valve PPEF2
Valve OD Area Port Size Area of Port
Series Ap/Ab Ap/Ab
(in.) (mm) (in.2) (mm2) Model (in.) (mm) (in.2) (mm2) Ratio 1–(Ap/Ab) 1–(Ap/Ab)
1/8 3.18 0.013 8.40 0.042 0.958 0.044
5/32 3.97 0.021 13.55 0.067 0.933 0.072
R-1
3/16 4.76 0.029 18.71 0.095 0.905 0.105
1.0 25.4 0.31 200.0 R-1D
1/4 6.35 0.052 33.55 0.166 0.834 0.199
5/16 7.94 0.08 51.61 0.257 0.743 0.346
R-1HV 3/8 9.53 0.114 73.55 0.368 0.632 0.582
3/16 4.76 0.029 18.71 0.038 0.962 0.040
1/4 6.35 0.052 33.55 0.067 0.933 0.072
R-2
1.5 38.1 0.77 496.8 5/16 7.94 0.08 51.61 0.104 0.896 0.115
R-2B
3/8 9.53 0.114 73.55 0.148 0.800 0.174
7/16 11.11 0.154 99.35 0.200 0.739 0.250
1
Port diameter based on port size plus 0.006 in. (0.152 mm) for lapped seat
2
Production pressure effect factor, formerly referred to as tubing effect factor

12 © 2007 Weatherford. All rights reserved.