Electric gas lift valve

Abstract

Electric gas lift valves and systems including a gas lift valve. The gas lift valve may comprise an integrated back check valve and choke valve. The integrated back check valve and choke valve may be retrievable. The gas lift valve may comprise an actuator. The gas lift valve may comprise a fail-closed mechanism comprising a power spring and an electro-magnet that powers a disconnect clutch. The fail-closed mechanism may be configured to close the choke valve in response to a loss of a functionality of the actuator. The gas lift valve may comprise a needle valve that is configured to place the choke valve to vary in an inflow rate. The choke valve may be modular.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electric gas lift valve comprising:
 an electric actuator;   a back check assembly comprising a flow tube and a flapper; and   an electro-magnet fail-close mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The electric gas lift valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a collet. 
     
     
         3 . The electric gas lift valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a first pressure sensor configured to read tubing pressure and a second pressure sensor configured to read annulus pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The electric gas lift valve of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured to open or close automatically based on a pressure differential between the first and second pressure sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The electric gas lift valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a variable choke. 
     
     
         6 . The electric gas lift valve of  claim 5 , further comprising a mechanism configured to open and close the electric gas lift valve. 
     
     
         7 . The electric gas lift valve of  claim 6 , the mechanism comprising a quarter turn mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The electric gas lift valve of  claim 5 , the electric actuator configured to actuate opening and closing of the electric gas lift valve and adjust the variable choke. 
     
     
         9 . The electric gas lift valve of  claim 5 , wherein the variable choke comprises:
 a nozzle; and   a venturi, wherein the nozzle is adjustable relative to the venturi to choke flow of gas through the venturi.   
     
     
         10 . A system for gas lift, the system comprising:
 an electric gas lift valve;   a mandrel; and   a cleaning apparatus embedded in the electric gas lift valve.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cleaning apparatus is configured to move reciprocally to clean a scale deposit in the gas lift valve. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of openings in the electric gas lift valve, wherein the plurality of openings are configured to be selectively opened or closed to adjust a flow rate through the electric gas lift valve, wherein the plurality of openings are selectively opened or closed by electrical power. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising an electric mechanical actuator for opening or closing the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         14 . A gas lift valve comprising:
 an integrated back check valve and choke valve, wherein the integrated back check valve and choke valve are retrievable;   an actuator;   a fail-closed mechanism comprising a power spring and an electro-magnet that powers a disconnect clutch, wherein the fail-closed mechanism is configured to close the choke valve in response to a loss of a functionality of the actuator;   a needle valve that is configured to place the choke valve to vary in an inflow rate, wherein the choke valve is modular.   
     
     
         15 . The gas lift valve of  claim 14 , wherein the gas lift valve is an electric gas lift valve. 
     
     
         16 . The gas lift valve of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator is an electro-mechanical actuator comprising an electric motor, a gearbox, and a ball screw. 
     
     
         17 . The gas lift valve of  claim 14 , wherein the fail-closed mechanism further comprises a collet, wherein the electro-magnet, the collet, and the power spring create a coupling with the actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The gas lift valve of  claim 17 , wherein when the fail-closed mechanism is engaged, the electro-magnet is configured to hold the collet in a locked position and compress the power spring, and wherein when the electro-magnet releases, the power spring is configured to push the collet to the unlocked position and release the coupling with the actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The gas lift valve of  claim 18 , wherein when the actuator engages the coupling to move the valve to an open position, the actuator is configured to open a flapper mechanism to seal backpressure. 
     
     
         20 . The gas lift valve of  claim 14 , wherein the choke valve is a variable choke valve, wherein an orifice size of the gas lift valve is configured to be changed in-situ, wherein the actuator is configured to adjust the variable choke valve to allow more or less flow through the gas lift valve.