Zero-Emission Production: Use Compressed Air to Delete Emissions from your High Pressure Control Valve

Looking to reduce emissions at your well site?

Let's look at a simple change you can make to do just that.

As we've covered in elsewhere*, one simple way to eliminate emissions from many of your liquid and gas applications is to use compressed air.

what Does a high pressure control valve Package do?

A pressure pilot is used to supply instrument gas to a High Pressure Control Valve, which allows it to open and close.

These versatile valves are used in numerous ways, including liquid dump and artificial lift as well as gas back pressure and pressure reduction applications.

HPCV illustration in normal operationHPCV applications

Where Do these Packages Emit?

Traditionally, producers use natural gas as the supply for their pressure pilot.

During normal operation, as the valve actuates and then returns to its original position, the pilot intermittently emits that gas into the atmosphere.

While it does not continuously emit, this may be a process you want to consider addressing to reduce your wellsite emissions.

HPCV illustration showing where gas is intermittently vented

How Can I Make the high pressure control valve Emission Free?

The good news is, it’s not as challenging as you would think!

Here's how: Rather than using supply gas from your production vessel for the pressure pilot, use an air compressor.

For back pressure and pressure reducing applications, the pressure pilot for the valve can accept compressed air with no conversion or additional parts required. You can even use the same tubing.

Just run the compressed air through your Supply Gas Regulator to the appropriate pressure as needed to actuate your valve.

using compressed air through a supply gas regulator on a hpcv

For liquid dump applications, you don’t need a package buildup, but you will need to regulate the supply pressure coming from the air compressor before it enters the pilot on the level controller or level switch.

liquid dump valve applications with outside supply

We are dedicated to helping producers achieve their emissions targets. We have helpful videos on converting products to non-vent actuation, outside supply, and more.

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