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Mark Alan Nieberding (Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering)
Normalization of Nitrogen Loaded Gas-Lift Valve Performance Data
(267 pp.)
Director, Dr. Zelimir Schmidt
(144 words)

The flow performance of two nitrogen gas-lift valves and one combination gas-lift valve was tested under

simulated downhole conditions. Flow performance tests were conducted for typical set pressures up to 1500 psig, and for injection pressures up to 1650 psig, with a maximum observed gas flow rate of 3.6 MMscfjD. The equipment and procedures for measuring performance characteristics of gas-lift valves are described.

The performance of pressure operated valves is determined by the magnitude of the injection pressure. Two distinct performance characteristics are observed for pressure operated valves: throttling flow and orifice flow. The two cases are separated by the test rack opening pressure.

Semi-mechanistic models predict both throttling and have been developed to orifice flow performance. Experimental performance characteristics have been incorporated into the models to predict the flow performance of any port size used in the Cameo R-20 valve.

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Last updated September 04, 2012