Setting Gas-Lift Valves

Ptro = Ct x Pbt/ (1. – Ap/Ab)

Setting Valves: Apparatus

• Test Rack
- This is the equipment used to set the opening and/or
closing pressure of either a pressure charged or a
spring loaded valve as specified by the repair shop.
- There are two general types in use:
- The ”donut” tester and the “encapsulated” tester.

• Water Bath
- This is a water filled container where several gas-lift
valves are immersed in the water to bring them to
some predetermined controlled temperature.
- Since most gas-lift installation designs calculate the
gas-lift valve set pressure at 60F, the temperature of
the water bath is manually controlled to 60F.
 Setting Valve: Apparatus (Continued)

• Pressure Chamber or Ager

- This device is a water filled chamber capable of at
least 5000 psig.
- The gas-lift valves are inserted in the chamber and
subjected to a predetermined external pressure for a
predetermined length of time and number of cycles.

• Probe
- This device is a micrometer used to measure the
stem travel as pressure is applied to the bellows.
- The rod of the probe is insulated electrically from the
valve.
- A continuity tester determines when the rod touches
the valve stem.

Valve Setting and Bellows Stabilization

• Procedure
- Remove the tail plugs, charge the dome to about
50 psi greater than required, and put the valves in
the water bath for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- Remove a valve from the water bath without
touching the dome.
- Apply gas pressure to open the valve: adjust the
dome pressure to achieve the correct opening
pressure.
- If it takes longer than 30 seconds to obtain the
desired opening pressure, remove the valve from
the tester and return it to the water bath.
- Proceed with the other valves and come back to
finish setting the pressure.
 Valve Setting and Bellows Stabilization
(Continued)

• Procedure
- Install tail plugs and put all valves in the pressure
chamber or ager.
- Bring the pressure on the chamber up to 5,000 psig
and hold for minimum of 15 minutes.
- Release the pressure and cycle the pressure to 5,000
psig a minimum of three times without pausing
between cycles.
- Camco says 4,000 psi at 5 minutes.
- If the valve opening pressure is lower than Ptro + 50
psi, after removing it from the ager, the bellows has
failed.

Valve Setting and Bellows Stabilization

(Continued)

• Procedure
- Remove the valves from the chamber and return
them to the water bath for minimum of 15 minutes.
- Remove a valve from the water bath, install it in
the tester, and check the opening pressure.
- If the opening pressure has changed 5 psi or
more, repeat steps 3-5 until the pressure does not
change 5 psi or more.
 Valve Leakage Test

• Procedure
- The test rack for this test shall have provisions for
measuring low gas flow rates on the downstream
side of the gas-lift valve.
- This test can be conducted at ambient temperatures.

Valve Leakage Test

(Continued)
• Procedure
- Determine the valve opening pressure at ambient
temperature and calculate Pvct:
- Pvct = Closing pressure of the valve at valve
temperature when the injection gas pressure and
the production pressure are equal at the instant
the valve closes, psig.
- Pvot = Valve opening pressure in test rack at
valve temperature, psig.
- Ap = Effective pressure area of valve stem, and
seat contact, sq. in.
- Ab = Effective area of the bellows, sq.in.
 Valve Leakage Test
(Continued)

• Procedure
- Stem and seat shall be dry during this test.
- No oil, grease, or similar material shall be allowed
on the stem and /or seat.
- Install the valve in the fixture, open the valve with
gas pressure, reduce the gas pressure to Pvct.
- Direct the downstream side for flow
measurement, as shown in the figures.
- If the flow rate is greater than 35 std cu. ft./day,
then the stem and seat shall be rejected.