_RP_19GLHB-2020.pdf

Gas Lift HandbookAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 19GLHBFIRST EDITION,JUNE 2020 Special NotesAPI publications necessarily address problems of a general nature.With respect to particular circumstances,local,state,and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.Neither API nor any of APIs employees,subcontractors,consultants,committees,or other assignees make anywarranty or representation,either express or implied,with respect to the accuracy,completeness,or usefulness of theinformation contained herein,or assume any liability or responsibility for any use,or the results of such use,of anyinformation or process disclosed in this publication.Neither API nor any of APIs employees,subcontractors,consultants,or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so.Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure theaccuracy and reliability of the data contained in them;however,the Institute makes no representation,warranty,orguarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss ordamage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication mayconflict.API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven,sound engineering and operatingpractices.These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgmentregarding when and where these publications should be utilized.The formulation and publication of API publicationsis not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standardis solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard.API does not represent,warrant,or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.All rights reserved.No part of this work may be reproduced,translated,stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted by any means,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise,without prior written permission from the publisher.Contact the Publisher,API Publishing Services,200 Massachusetts Avenue,NW,Suite 1100,Washington,DC 20001.Copyright 2020 American Petroleum Institute ForewordNothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right,by implication or otherwise,for themanufacture,sale,or use of any method,apparatus,or product covered by letters patent.Neither should anythingcontained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.The verbal forms used to express the provisions in this document are as follows.Shall:As used in a standard,“shall”denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the standard.Should:As used in a standard,“should”denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in orderto conform to the standard.May:As used in a standard,“may”denotes a course of action permissible within the limits of a standard.Can:As used in a standard,“can”denotes a statement of possibility or capability.This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification andparticipation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard.Questions concerning theinterpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under whichthis publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards,American PetroleumInstitute,200 Massachusetts Avenue,Suite 1100,Washington,DC 20001.Requests for permission to reproduce ortranslate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.Generally,API standards are reviewed and revised,reaffirmed,or withdrawn at least every five years.A one-timeextension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle.Status of the publication can be ascertained from theAPI Standards Department,telephone(202)682-8000.A catalog of API publications and materials is publishedannually by API,200 Massachusetts Avenue,Suite 1100,Washington,DC 20001.Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department,API,200 MassachusettsAvenue,Suite 1100,Washington,DC 20001,standardsapi.org.iii ContentsPage1Scope.12Normative References .13Terms,Definitions,Abbreviations,and Symbols.13.1Terms and Definitions .13.2Abbreviations .93.3Symbols.104Introduction to Artificial Lift and Gas Lift.144.1Basic Principles of Hydrocarbon Production.144.2Artificial Lift System Basics.154.3The Process of Gas Lifting Liquids.164.4Choosing an Artificial Lift System.164.5Gas Lift System Types.174.6Continuous Gas Lift.184.7Intermittent Flow Gas Lift Systems.194.8Gas Lift for Gas Wells.204.9Major Components of a Typical Gas Lift System.214.10 Advantages and Limitati