Downhole · Gas Lift
Operating Valve
Usually the deepest gas lift valve, the point where gas enters the tubing during normal production.
What it does
Meters gas into the tubing through an orifice sized for the desired rate. Setting it as deep as the injection pressure allows gives the most lift.
Basics
| Position | Normally the bottommost valve |
| Flow control | Orifice sized for the target gas rate |
| Goal | Gas entering at critical velocity for steady flow |
| Depth limited by | Available injection pressure |
Common failures
- Orifice eroded or plugged
- Rate below critical velocity, liquid falls back and flow becomes unstable
Troubleshooting
- Symptom
- Unstable rates and pressure swings
- Likely cause
- Gas below critical velocity at the orifice
- What to check
- Resize the orifice or adjust the injection rate