Patent · US Active

Gas lift valve aging process and apparatus

US11661827B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
14References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 25, 2021
Grant dateMay 30, 2023
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 15, 2041

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B2200/02
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A process for aging gas lift valves utilizing a controlled decompression to prevent damage to seals of the gas lift valves. The process includes pressuring one or more gas lift valves to a predetermined pressure (e.g., 5000 psig) and maintaining this pressure for a predetermined time (e.g. five minutes). After this time period, decompression is performed in discrete steps. For instance, the pressure of the pressure vessel may be reduced in predetermined pressure increments (i.e. reductions). After each pressure reduction, the reduced pressure is maintained for a predetermined time. This allows gasses and fluids within the elastomeric O-rings time to dissipate without causing damage to the seals.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.