Surface · Plunger Lift
Motor Valve
An automatic valve on the flowline, opened and closed by the controller.
What it does
Closed, it shuts the well in so gas pressure builds in the casing annulus. Open, it drops tubing pressure to line pressure so the annulus gas pushes the plunger and liquid to surface.
Basics
| Location | Flowline, downstream of the wellhead outlets |
| Driven by | The controller |
| States | Closed (shut in) or open (flow) |
Common failures
- Leaking when closed, so the well cannot build pressure
- Valve that fails to open or close on command
Troubleshooting
- Symptom
- Well loads up and dies
- Likely cause
- Motor valve leaking, even slightly
- What to check
- Service the valve seat and trim
- Symptom
- Plunger does not arrive
- Likely cause
- Valve trim too small, acting as a choke
- What to check
- Review the motor valve size