This work presents the results of several failure analyses of gas lift valves (GLVs) retrieved from the operator’s subsea wells. These valves were unable to prevent backflow from tubing to annulus, thereby compromising well integrity. These investigations allow a more-precise diagnosis of GLV failures that tends to reduce the risk of problem recurrence and can guide the correction of fragilities in current designs. They also can contribute to better planning and definitions in future well completions, resulting in increased reliability for this method of artificial lift.
Failure-Analysis Procedure
Usually, GLV failures are detected in tubing-integrity tests.
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