1. TWM Basic Steps to Perform Valve Check Load Test.
Echometer How To
TWM Basic Steps to Perform Valve Check Load Test. by
Echometer Company
Reference: Well Analyzer QuickRefs,

2. Valve Check Load Tests Answers the Following Questions
What rate does the Traveling Valve Leak?
What is the condition of the traveling valve, the pump barrel and plunger and the tubing string?
Is the fluid being held in the tubing?
Does the Standing Valve Leak?
Are the rod string lengths correct?

3. Stop on the Upstroke to Monitor for Leakage from the Tubing into the Pump
TV Check Load Test weighs the rod string buoyed in tubing fluid plus the fluid load acting on the traveling valve (across plunger).

4. Stop on the Down Stroke to Monitor for Leakage from the Pump into the Casing
SV Check Load Test weighs the rods in air reduced by the buoyancy of the tubing fluid on the rod string.

5. Use Any of these Dynamometer Transducers to Determine a Valve Check Load Test

6. Accuracy of Acquired Load Data Depends on Type of Load Cell Used
Portable load cells are calibrated and accurately determine polished rod loads.
The PRT acquired loads can drift and make Valve Check Load Tests difficult to interpret.
Error in the measured loads are introduced if the carrier bar and clamp do not uniformly contact the load cell.
Donut load cell should have a spacer and spherical washers to ensure the polished rod load is centralized on the load cell.

7. Connect the cables to Well Analyzer.
Far end on the coiled cable is attached to the 25-foot Y-cable or Straight cable, that is connected into the MAIN INPUT on the Well Analyzer.

8. Turn on Well Analyzer and wait for GREEN LED.

9. Turn on the computer.

10. Start TWM in Acquire Mode
1. Select the Equipment Check tab.
2. The display of internal battery voltage and battery temperature indicate that the computer is communicating with the well analyzer’s internal electronics and sensor measurements may be acquired.

11. TWM Software – F3 to Select Well
1. Open Base Well File for the well where data is to be acquired. Use New… to create a Base Well File if one does not exist.
2. For acoustic surveys be sure to enter at least avg. joint length, pump and formation depths.

12. Select Wellbore Tab to Verify Data
1. From the Base Well File select the Wellbore Tab and verify the well data is representative.
2. For Dyno surveys be sure to enter Rod Type, Rod Length, Rod Diameter, Pump Plunger Dia., Pump Intake, Polished Rod Diameter, fluid gravities, and production rates.

13. Save Changes to Base Well File
1. Click Save button to be sure to save changes to the base well file.

14. Select Type of Data Acquisition Test
Tap F4 to Select Test type to be acquired.
Click the Dynamometer Tab to indicate that Dynamometer data will be acquired.
Click Alt-2 to select the Valve Check Load Test
Select F5 to Acquire Data

15. Read Instructions for Performing the Traveling and Standing Valve Test
After choosing the Select Test option F4 the operator is presented with the instructions performing the traveling and standing valve test.
Click the Load tab to begin displaying data.

16. Tap Alt-S to Start Data Acquisition

17. Traveling Valve Check Procedure
The traveling valve check load test is taken during the upstroke by gently using the brake to bring the pumping unit to a stop about ¼ from the top of the stroke.

18. Perform Two Traveling Valve Checks

19. Upstroke: TV Check Load Test
1. Pumping cycle was interrupted on the upstroke when SV is open and TV is closed for a traveling valve check load test.
2. Static pressure above and below the standing valve are equal.
3. Acquired TV load the weight of the rods buoyed in fluid plus the differential fluid load on the plunger.
2500 psi
200 psi
200 psi

20. Standing Valve Check Procedure
Standing valve check load is taken during the down stroke by gently using the brake to bring the pumping unit to a stop about ¼ from the bottom of the stroke.

21. Perform Two Standing Valve Checks

22. Down Stroke: SV Check Load Test
1. Pumping cycle was interrupted on the down stroke when the TV was open and SV was closed for a standing valve check load test.
2. Static pressures across the plunger are equal for SV Check Load (shown).
3. Acquired SV load is the weight of the rod string buoyed in the tubing fluid.
2500 psi
2500 psi
200 psi

23. Alt-Q to Stop Acquisition, Then Save

24. Press F6 to Analyze Valve Checks
Examine Display and Verify Correct SV and TV Check Loads are Selected

25. If PRT Used for Valve Checks
1. Verify Correct SV Check Load is Selected
2. Click Apply button to Adjust SV to Buoyant Rod Wgt.

26. If PRT Used for Valve Checks
1. After Clicking Apply button to Adjust SV to Buoyant Rod Wgt.
2. The Selected SV Check Load is adjusted to exactly match the Calc. Buoyant Rod Wgt.

27. If TV Leaks Possible problems:
worn plunger or barrel, pitted ball, cut seat, tubing leak, or well flowing off.
If TV Leaks
1. Leakage rate indicated by changes in the polished rod load due to changes in the difference in pressure across the plunger
2. Liquid leaking past traveling valve and/or plunger enters pump barrel and increasing pressure.
3. Differential pressure decreases across plunger.
4. Pump load on the rods decreases, resulting in a decreasing polished rod load.
2500 psi
500 psi
200 psi

28. If TV Leaks

29. If SV Leak
Possible problems:
pitted ball, cut seat, hole in pump barrel, or damaged pump parts.
1. Liquid leaking past standing valve leaves pump barrel and decreasing pressure.
2. The leak causes increasing differential pressure across plunger, and results in the plunger applying fluid load to rods.
3. Both pump rod load and polished rod load increases.
2500 psi
2000 psi
200 psi

30. If SV Leaks

31. Problem: TV Load OK, but NO SV Load
Possible Problems:
1. Severe SV leak.
2. Gas Locked Pump, P3>P2>P1.
3. SV is stuck open
4. Fluid level below pump intake.
5. Specialty Pump – Gas Compression Chamber
2500 psi
200 psi
200 psi

32. TV Load OK, but NO SV Load

33. Problem: SV Load OK, but NO TV Load
Possible Problems:
1. Completely worn out plunger/barrel or TV
2. TV is stuck open
3. Deep Rod Part or Pump Parted.
4. Well flowing through pump and both valves open.
2500 psi
2500 psi
200 psi

34. SV Load OK, but NO TV Load

35. The END