Plunger Lift Lubricators and Related Equipment

API SPECIFICATION 11PL FIRST EDITION, JUNE 2019

API MONOGRAM PROGRAM EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2020

Special Notes

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Copyright © 2019 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained 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 order to 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 and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

For API Monogram Program licensees and APIQR Program registrants, this standard shall become effective on the program date printed on the cover but may be used voluntarily from the date of publication.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department, API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001, standards@api.org.

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Contents

Page

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations 2

   1. Terms and Definitions 2

   2. Acronyms and Abbreviations 6

4. Functional Specification 7

   1. General 7

   2. Lubricator Type Selection 7

   3. Well Parameters 10

   4. Operational Parameters 11

   5. Environmental Compatibility 11

   6. Compatibility with Related Well Equipment 11

   7. Validation Grade Selection 12

   8. Quality Grade Selection 12

   9. Functional Testing 12

   10. Temperature Range Selection 12

5. Technical Specification 13

   1. General 13

   2. Technical Characteristics 13

   3. Design Requirements 13

   4. Materials 15

   5. Welding and Brazing 17

   6. Coatings, Platings, Painting, and Overlays 17

   7. Surface Treatments 17

   8. Design Ratings 18

   9. Catcher Validation Testing 19

   10. Kinetic Energy (KE) 19

   11. Design Verifications 20

   12. Design Validation Requirements 21

   13. Design Changes 22

6. Supplier/Manufacturer Requirements 23

   1. General 23

   2. Documentation 23

   3. Product Identification 26

   4. Quality Requirements 27

   5. Validation Levels 29

   6. Functional Testing Requirements 29

   7. Charpy Impact Technique 29

   8. Calibration Systems 30

   9. Heat Treatment 30

   10. Additional Processes 31

   11. Component Traceability 31

   12. NDE Inspections 31

7. Repair/Redress Requirements 38

8. Shipping, Handling, and Storage 38

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Contents

Page

Annex A (informative) API Monogram Program Use of the API Monogram by Licensees 39

Annex B (normative) Validation Testing Requirements 43

Annex C (normative) Functional Testing Requirements 51

Annex D (normative) Wellbore Access Connection 53

Annex E (informative) Guidelines for Operations of Plunger Lift Lubricators 55

Bibliography 62

FIgures

1. Example Quick-union-type Lubricator with Manual Catcher Illustration 7

2. Example Quick-union-type Lubricator with Auto Catcher Illustration 8

B.1 Catcher Test Plunger Upper End Design 47

D.1 Quick Union Connection Illustration 54

1. Tubing Head Adapter Example 57

2. Kinetic Energy Curves 58

Tables

1. Design Validation Grade Summary 12

2. Quality Grade Summary 12

3. Typical Temperature Ranges 12

4. API Specification 6A, 20th Edition (SI Units) Applicable Table 14

5. API Specification 6A, 20th Edition (USC Units), Applicable Table 15

6. Kinetic Energy Reference Table 21

7. Design Validation Grade Hierarchy 22

8. Marking Requirements 27

9. Summary of Quality Grade Requirements 28

10. Validation Grade Requirements Summary 29

11. Adjustment Factors for Sub-size Impact Specimens 30

12. Type 1 Component NDE Requirements Summary 32

13. Type 2 Component NDE Requirements Summary 33

14. Sampling Plan Unit Count Requirements 34

B.1 Test Plunger Dimensions and Weights 47

D.1 Quick Union Identification and Characteristics 54

1. Example General Lubricator Ordering Form 55

2. Summary of Periodic Maintenance Intervals 60

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Introduction

This specification has been developed by users/purchasers and suppliers/manufacturers of plunger lift lubricators intended for use in the petroleum and natural gas industry worldwide. This specification is intended to give requirements and information to both parties in the selection, manufacture, testing and use of plunger lift lubricators. Further, this specification addresses supplier/manufacturer requirements which set the minimum requirements with which suppliers/manufacturers shall conform.

This specification has been structured to allow for grades of increased requirements both in quality control and design validation. These variations allow the user/purchaser to select the grade required for a specific application for a chosen tool.

The quality grades and design validation grades provide the user/purchaser the choice of requirements to meet a specific preference or application. Additional quality and design validation requirements may be specified by the user/ purchaser as supplemental requirements.

Plunger Lift Lubricators and Related Equipment

1. Scope

   
   

   This specification provides requirements and guidelines for plunger lift lubricators, which includes plunger catchers as defined herein for use in the petroleum and natural gas industry. Threaded and flanged external connections are covered by the applicable API or proprietary connection design requirements. This specification provides requirements for the functional specification and technical specification, including design requirements (outlet locations, specified and optional), design extensions, design verification and validation, welding, materials, quality controls (QCs), marking, documentation and data control, shipment, and storage.

   
   

   This specification does not include control system components, including electrical and electronic devices, installation requirements, field modifications of lubricators, and plunger lift downhole equipment. Additionally, the requirements for the inlet and outlet flange bolting and gaskets are not addressed herein. Equipment and technology that are covered by other API specifications and standards are exempted from this specification.

   
   

   This specification includes five annexes: Annex A (informative), Annexes B through D (normative), and Annex E, which is informative and includes guidelines for plunger lift lubricator use and maintenance.

   
   

2. Normative References

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

API Specification 5B, Specification for Threading, Gauging, and Thread Inspection of Casing, Tubing, and Line Pipe Threads, 15th Edition

API Recommended Practice 5B1, Gauging and Inspection of Casing, Tubing, and Line Pipe Threads

API Specification 5CRA, Specification for Corrosion-resistant Alloy Seamless Tubes for Use as Casing, Tubing and Coupling Stock

API Specification 5CT, Specification for Casing and Tubing, Ninth Edition

API Specification 6A, Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment, 20th Edition

API Specification 20A, Carbon Steel, Alloy Steel, Stainless Steel, and Nickel Base Alloy Castings for Use in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry

API Specification Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry

ANSI 1/NACE 2 MR0175/ISO 3 15156 (all parts), Petroleum and natural gas industries—Materials for use in H2S-containing environments in oil and gas production

ASME Boiler Pressure and Vessel Code (BPVC) 4, Section IX: Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications

1 American National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10036, www.ansi.org.

2 NACE International, 15835 Park Ten Place, Houston, Texas 77084, www.nace.org.

3 International Organization for Standardization, 1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse, Case postale 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, www.iso.org.

4 ASME International, 2 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016-5990, www.asme.org.

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