Valve Mechanics

Valve Mechanics
Upon completion of this section you will be able to:
Calculate the opening and closing pressures for an IPO
gas lift valve.
Calculate the opening and closing pressures for a PPO
gas lift valve.
Understand the relationship that tubing pressure and
casing pressure have on the operation of GLVs.
Force Balance Theory for
IPO Valves
Pressure Regulator
Diaphragm/
Atmospheric Bellows
Spring
Stem
Stem Tip
Port
Downstream
Upstream
Spring Operated Gas Lift Valve
Upstream/
Casing
Downstream/Tubing
Opening Forces
Dome
(Loading Element)
Bellows
(Responsive Element)
P
C
, Casing Pressure
Area
of
Bellows
A
P
Area of Port
P
1
Tubing
Pressure
P
d
A
B
= P
t
( A
p
) + P
c
(A
B
A
p
)
Force Balance at Opening
Closing Forces
Force Balance at Closing
P
d
A
B
= P
C
(A
B
)
P d
A b
P c
A p
P 1
UNBALANCED VALVE
F = P X A
Pc
1
Pd
Pt
WHEN THE VALVE IS CLOSED
TO OPEN IT..

Pd x Ab= Pc
1
(Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap
Pd

Pc
2
WHEN THE VALVE IS OPEN
TO CLOSE IT..

Pd x Ab = Pc
2
(Ab)
Valve Opening and Closing Pressures
CLOSING FORCE (IPO VALVE) Fc = PdAb =PcAb

OPENING FORCES (IPO VALVE) Fo
1
= Pc (Ab- Ap)
Fo
2
= Pt Ap

TOTAL OPENING FORCE Fo = Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap

JUST BEFORE THE VALVE OPENS THE FORCES ARE EQUAL

Pc (Ab - Ap) + Pt Ap = Pc Ab

Pd - Pt (Ap/Ab)
SOLVING FOR Pc Pc = --------------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)

WHERE: Pd = Pressure in dome
Pt = Tubing pressure
Pc = Casing pressure
Ab = Area of bellows
Ap = Area of port

Valve Opening and Closing Pressures
Pb - Pt (Ap/Ab)
Pc = ----------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)
Where R = Ratio Ap/Ab
Pb - Pt (R)
Pc = ----------------------
1 - R
Pb = Pc (1 - R) + Pt (R)
Valve Opening and Closing Pressures
0
2000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
4000
1000 2000
D
E
P
T
H

F
T
T
V
D

TUBING PRESSURE
CASING PRESSURE
1500 500 2500
DRAWDOWN
3000 3500
FBHP SIBHP
Gas lift valves close in sequence
Test Rack Opening Pressure
Pb - Pt (Ap/Ab)
Pc = ----------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)
TRO
Pd @ 60F 0
Pd @ 60F
TRO = ----------------------
1 - R
R
Note: Pd @ 60F = (T
c
) (Pd @ Depth)
Calculation Summary
Pd = P
csg
(1-R) + P
tbg
(R)
P
sc
= Pd - DPc

P
so
= P
csg
- DPc

P
d
@ 60F = Tc (P
d
) TRO = (Pd @ 60F)/(1-R)
INJECTION GAS
PRODUCED FLUID
CASING P.
TO OPEN
CASING P
TO CLOSE
AT SURFACE
VALVE # 1
VALVE # 2
VALVE # 3
DOME P.
1200 PSI
1260 PSI
1300 PSI
NOTE : ALL VALVES 3/16 R-20
R = 0.038 1-R = 0.962
Pd = Pc (1-R) + Pt (R)
TUBING P.
@ DEPTH
890 PSI
740 PSI
560 PSI
? PSI
? PSI
? PSI
1340 PSI ? PSI
Force Balance Theory for PPO
Valves
Production Pressure Operated
Valves
Also known as fluid valves
Most commonly used in dual GL
wells
Primarily sense tubing pressure
Achieved through use of cross-over
seat

F = P X A
Pc

Pt
1
WHEN THE VALVE IS CLOSED
TO OPEN IT..
Fs= Pt
1
(Ab - Ap) + Pc Ap
Fs
Pc

WHEN THE VALVE IS OPEN
TO CLOSE IT..
Fs = Pt
2
(Ab)
PPO Valve Mechanics
Pt
2
THE REVERSE OF AN IPO VALVE
Fs
Fs = Ps.t. X Ab
CLOSING FORCE (PPO VALVE) F
c
= F
s
= P
s.t.
* A
b

OPENING FORCES (PPO VALVE) Fo
1
= Pt (Ab- Ap)
Fo
2
= Pc Ap

TOTAL OPENING FORCE Fo = Pt (Ab - Ap) + Pc Ap

JUST BEFORE THE VALVE OPENS THE FORCES ARE EQUAL

Pt (Ab - Ap) + Pc Ap = P
s.t.
*A
b

P
s.t.
- Pc (Ap/Ab)
SOLVING FOR Pt Pt = --------------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)

WHERE: Pb = Pressure in bellows
Pt = Tubing pressure
P
s.t.
= Spring tension effect

Pc = Casing pressure
Ab = Area of bellows
Ap = Area of port

Valve Opening and Closing Pressures
P
s.t.
- Pc (Ap/Ab)
Pt = ----------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)
Where R = Ratio Ap/Ab
Pt - Pc (R)
OP = ----------------------
1 - R
Pvc = Pt (1 - R) + Pc (R)
Valve opening and closing
pressures
Test Rack Opening Pressure
Ps.t. - Pc (Ap/Ab)
Pt = ----------------------
1 - (Ap/Ab)
TRO
Pvc 0
Pvc
TRO = ----------------------
1 - R
R
Calculation Summary
Pvc @ L = P
t
(1-R) + P
c
(R)
TRO = P
vc
@ L /(1-R)

Operation
In the closed position, tubing pressure is acting on the bellows
and casing pressure is acting on the ball.
When the combined forces of tubing pressure and casing
pressure are greater than the spring tension the valve opens.
When the valve opens, tubing pressure is acting on the ball and
the bellows. The valve closes on a drop in tubing pressure.
Test rack opening pressures should generally increase as you
get deeper on the design sheet. This is due to increase in tubing
pressure as you go downhole.

Characteristics
Advantages
Not temperature sensitive
Suitable for dual installations
Each valve is operated at the same casing pressure so
higher casing pressure is maintained in deep wells.
Disadvantages
Difficult to troubleshoot
High back pressure holds the valves open
Not suitable for wells with IPO spacing
Dependant on the parameter over which we have the least
control

Example: Operating Pressure
Calculation
Using the supplied calculation worksheet,
derive the Operating Pressure equation for an
injection pressure operated (IPO) gas lift
valve.
Section 4a: Gas Lift Design
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
#1.
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
S.I.B.H.P.
#2.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
S.I.B.H.P. F.B.H.P.
#3.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
S.I.B.H.P. F.B.H.P.
#4.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
S.I.B.H.P. F.B.H.P.
MANDREL #1
#5.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
F.B.H.P. #1
S.I.B.H.P. F.B.H.P.
MANDREL #1
#6.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
MANDREL #2
F.B.H.P. #2 S.I.B.H.P. F.B.H.P.
MANDREL #1
#7.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
MANDREL #2
MANDREL #3
F.B.H.P. #3 S.I.B.H.P. F.B.H.P.
MANDREL #1
#8.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
MANDREL #4
MANDREL #2
F.B.H.P. #4 S.I.B.H.P. F.B.H.P.
MANDREL #1
MANDREL #3
#9.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
TEMPERATURE F
100 150 200
MANDREL #4
MANDREL #2
MANDREL #5
F.B.H.P. #5
S.I.B.H.P. F.B.H.P.
MANDREL #1
MANDREL #3
#10.
Constant Casing Pressure Drop Method
End Day 3
Agenda
Day 1: Introduction & Objectives; AL
Technology; Gas Lift Overview;
Field Trip Lufkin
Day 2: Gas Lift Equipment
Day 3: Well Performance; Gas Lift Design
Day 4: GL Design (cont.); Computer Based
Applications
Day 5: GL Trouble-shooting and
Optimization
Day 4
Delivery Duration Begin End
Review Day 3 Lecture 0:30 8:00 AM 8:30 AM
IPO Gas lift design Individual Activity 1:30 8:30 AM 10:00 AM
Break 0:15 10:00 10:15
Design Bias
Overview of design bias. Lecture 1:00 10:15 AM 11:15 AM
IPO Gas lift design w/ design bias Individual Activity 0:45 11:15 AM 12:00 PM
Lunch 1:00 13:30 14:30
PPO Gas Lift Design
PPO design methodology. Lecture 0:45 12:00 PM 12:45 PM
PPO Gas lift design Individual Activity 0:45 12:45 PM 1:30 PM
Section 5: Computer Based Applications
Computer Based Applications
Introduction to SNAP Demo 0:30 1:30 PM 2:00 PM
Break 0:15 14:00 14:15
IPO Gas lift design using SNAP Individual Activity 1:15 2:00 PM 3:15 PM
PPO Gas lift design using SNAP Individual Activity 0:45 3:15 PM 4:00 PM
Topics
Gas Lift Design Example #1
Design a continuous flow gas lift installation for the well described below.
Use the provided calculation sheet and determine the following information
for all valves: setting depth, port size, test rack opening pressure.

English Metric
Tubing Size 2-7/8" 6.5 ppf 62 mm
Desired Producing Rate 600 BPD 100 M3
Percent Water 50% 50%
Water Specific Gravity 1.08 1.08
Gas Specific Gravity 0.65 0.65
Oil Gravity 35 API 0.85 rel dens
Static Fluid Gradient (Gs) 0.465 10.5 kPa / mtr
Depth of Perforations 5257 ft. 1600 meters
Depth of Packer 5000 ft. 1500 meters
Wellhead Pressure (Pwh) 100 psig 700 kPa
Static Bottom Hole Pressure (Pws) 1600 psig 11,000 kPa
Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure (Pwf) 1160 psig 8000 kPa
Temperature at Surface (T@S) 90F 32 C.
Temperature at Bottom Hole (T@bh) 136F 58 C
Operating Injection Pressure (Pi@S) 800 psig 5600 kPa
Kickoff Pressure (Pko) 850 psig 5900 kPa
Suggested IPO Valve R-20 R-20
Suggested Valve Port Size 1/4" 6.35 mm
Voluma of Gas Available 1200 MCFD 30,000 M3
Formation GLR 100:1 20 M3/kltr
Solution
Design Bias
Design Bias in Gas Lift Designs
Tubing head pressure
Tubing pressure / minimum gradient
Casing pressure drops to close valve systematically
(disadvantage?)
Re-opening valves / Valve interference
Differential at bottom point
Casing pressure available
Design bias will vary depending on condition
Gas passage
Well coming in
Add some more mandrels?
Usually called safety factors

Transfer Point Bias
Accounts for uncertainty in flowing gradient
Affects spacing
Affects valve calculations
Options
Percentage of tubing pressure
% (Pcsg Ptbg)
Bracketing
Design Line
User defined per station
Design Lines
0 1000 2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
PRESSURE (PSIG)
D
E
P
T
H


F
T
T
V
D

DEPTH OF WELL (MID PERFS)
MANDREL #4
MANDREL #2
MANDREL #5
F.B.H.P.
MANDREL #1
MANDREL #3
Design line
Casing Pressure Drop
Ensures injection through single valve
Attempts to offset tubing pressure effect
Relative to port size
Methodologies include:
Constant pressure drop
Pt
max
Pt
min

Valve-dependant (catalog-based)

Temperature bias
Static pressure gradient
SBHP
Flowing temperature gradient
Static temperature gradient
Static fluid level
1
st
potential operating point
(Pt
max
- Pt
min
) Method
Valve #1
Pressure
D
e
p
t
h
Pc1
Pt@L Pc @ L
30-50#
Differential
#1.
Pt
#1
Pressure
D
e
p
t
h
Pc1
50#
Differential
#2.
Pt
Pt min
Pt max
Point A
Pc2 = Pc1-[ (Pt max-Pt min) (TEF)]
#3.
#1
Pressure
D
e
p
t
h
Pc1
50#
Differential
Pt
Pt min
Pt max
#2
Point A
Pc2=1000-[(750-425) (.104)]
Pc2=966 psi
(33.8 psi)
Pc1
#4.
#1
Pressure
D
e
p
t
h
Pc1
Pt
#2
#3
Pc2
Pc3
Pc3=966-[(815-625) (.104)]
Pc3=946 psi
(19.76 psi)
#1
Pressure
Pc1
Pt
#2
#3
Pc2
Pc3
D
e
p
t
h
Pt min
Pt max
Point A
#5.
#1
Pressure
Pc1
Pt
#2
#3
Pc2
Pc3
D
e
p
t
h
Pt min
Pc4= 946-[(925-750) (.104)]
Pc4= 928 psi
(18.2 psi)
Pc4
(.05 x Depth) + Pwh
#4
#6.
Gas Lift Design Example #2
Redesign the gas lift installation for example #1 using at least 2 forms of
design bias.

English Metric
Tubing Size 2-7/8" 6.5 ppf 62 mm
Desired Producing Rate 600 BPD 100 M3
Percent Water 50% 50%
Water Specific Gravity 1.08 1.08
Gas Specific Gravity 0.65 0.65
Oil Gravity 35 API 0.85 rel dens
Static Fluid Gradient (Gs) 0.465 10.5 kPa / mtr
Depth of Perforations 5257 ft. 1600 meters
Depth of Packer 5000 ft. 1500 meters
Wellhead Pressure (Pwh) 100 psig 700 kPa
Static Bottom Hole Pressure (Pbhs) 1600 psig 11,000 kPa
Flowing Bottom Hole Pressure (Pbhf) 1160 psig 8000 kPa
Temperature at Surface (T@S) 90F 32 C.
Temperature at Bottom Hole (T@bh) 136F 58 C
Operating Injection Pressure (Pi@S) 800 psig 5600 kPa
Kickoff Pressure (Pko) 850 psig 5900 kPa
Suggested IPO Valve R-20 R-20
Suggested Valve Port Size 1/4" 6.35 mm
Voluma of Gas Available 1200 MCFD 30,000 M3
Formation GLR 100:1 20 M3/kltr
Well Data
Solution