RH-1 Gas-Lift Valve

Applications

• Wells that require wireline-retrievable equipment 
• Wells with high injection pressures that require gas-lift valves to have dome charge of up to 2,500 psi (172 bar) and differential-submergence pressures up to 6,000 psi (413 bar) 
• Wells that require high injection rates to maximize production rates 
• High-profile wells with high intervention costs

Features and Benefits

• Empirical test data can be used to predict gas-passage characteristics, which supports gas-lift design accuracy and maximum well productivity.
• Positive bellows protection–which reduces operational failures, nonproductive time (NPT), and operating costs–is activated by two means: when a mechanical stop prevents bellows overtravel, and when a noncompressible silicon fluid supports the bellows as high differential-submergence pressures are applied to the valve. 
• A viscous dampening fluid prevents bellows fatigue by decreasing stem pounding and chatter.
• Lapped and matched tungsten-carbide seats provide a robust and resilient seal, which reduces chances of damaging the seal during the unloading phase and increases efficiency in well operations.
• High-volume integral reverse-flow check valves, which have been tested to API 19G2 V-1 standards, provide a barrier for tubing-to-casing communication for well containment.
• An aerodynamic check valve enables maximum gas passage and erosion resistance, which increases the overall production rate.
• The check valve includes a combination modified-PTFE and metal-to-metal seal to maintain sealing integrity in low- and high-pressure situations.
• Optimized stem travel and tightly controlled manufacturing tolerances maximize gas passage and provide a longer bellows life cycle, which significantly reduces  failures and nonproductive time.
• Manufacturing specifications include differential-submergence-pressure testing and a specific bellows type.
• When specified, packing seals can meet API 19G2 requirements, which creates a proper seal that isolates tubing and casing and prevents well-containment issues.
• The valve is compatible with gas-lift mandrels from all manufacturers that meet API 19G1 standards, which provides operational flexibility.
• The valve can be manufactured from a wide range of materials and can be customized for use in corrossive well conditions.
• The larger dome reduces the load rate and improves flow characteristics to support optimal production.

 

Tool Description

The Weatherford RH-1 gas-lift valve is a premium 1-in. nominal outside diameter (OD), wireline-retrievable, injection-pressure-operated (IPO) gas-lift valve specifically designed for deepwater or other high-profile well applications. The high dome-charge capacity of 2,500 psi (172 bar) and differential-submergence-pressure rating of 6,000 psi (413 bar) enable the valve to perform in high-pressure injection systems and achieve deeper points of injection.

The valve features a bellows protection system that prevents bellows deformation when exposed to high differential pressures. The check-valve is equipped with a combination modified-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and metal-to-metal seal, which has been designed by applying computation of flow-dynamics analysis and physical testing to maximize gas-passage capability and erosion resistance. 

RH-1 gas-lift valves can meet American Petroleum Institute (API) 19G2 V-1 certification, which is the highest industry standard.