Single actuated rotational electric gas lift valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12410693-B2
Application number	US-202418405730-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 5, 2024
Priority date	Jan 6, 2023
Publication date	Sep 9, 2025
Grant date	Sep 9, 2025

Abstract

An electric gas lift valve may comprise a casing, gas lift mandrel, one or more annulus, a tubing, a venturi sleeve, a needle, a governor, anti-rotational key, a rotational (rotating) bellow, a gearbox housing that houses a gearbox, an electrical motor, and an encoder. The bellow therefore allows the electrical motor, encoder and gearbox to be hermetically sealed against the external environment. Bellows that absorb torsion are provided. A bellow configured to absorb torsion comprising: a plurality of convolutions bent following a circular trajectory such that a start edge of a first convolution of the plurality of convolutions coincides with a finish edge of a last convolution of the plurality of convolutions, the start edge of the first convolution coupled to the finish edge of the last convolution.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electric gas lift valve comprising:
a mandrel comprising side ports;
one or more annulus configured for gas flow;
a venturi sleeve;
one or more seals disposed on the exterior of the venturi sleeve to contain the gas in different pressure zones;
a needle comprising a longitudinal side slot;
a governor comprising an upper portion that is at least partially spherical and comprises a through hole, and a lower portion extending from the upper portion, wherein:
the lower portion is at least partially tube-shaped;
the through hole comprises an offset;
the lower portion of the governor partially houses the needle; and
a portion of the needle is disposed within the venturi sleeve;

an anti-rotational key that is anchored to the mandrel and extends into the longitudinal side slot of the needle;
a transfer cavity; and
a rotational bellow, wherein the rotational bellow is configured to absorb torsion, the rotational bellow comprising:
a plurality of convolutions bent following a circular trajectory such that a start edge of a first convolution of the plurality of convolutions coincides with a finish edge of a last convolution of the plurality of convolutions, the start edge of the first convolution being coupled to the finish edge of the last convolution.

2. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein the governor is configured to allow gas flow from one side to another side through the side ports of the mandrel when the through hole rotates to align the through hole with the side ports of the mandrel.

3. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein when the governor is rotated a quarter turn, the through hole is configured to not be aligned with the side ports of the mandrel and the upper portion of the governor that is at least partially spherical is configured to block a passage of gas.

4. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein barrier seals are disposed between the upper portion of the governor that is at least partially spherical and the side ports of the mandrel to prevent gas from spreading outwards.

5. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein the needle comprises a taper slot that receives a pin anchored in the lower portion of the governor, wherein when the governor rotates, the pin drives the needle downward toward the venturi sleeve or upward away from the venturi sleeve, thereby decreasing or increasing a flow of gas.

6. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the governor that is at least partially spherical is configured to rotate to an open position, wherein the through hole of the governor is aligned with the side ports of the mandrel, such that gas flows from the one or more annulus and at least one of the side ports of the mandrel into the transfer cavity.

7. The electric gas lift valve of claim 6 , wherein the transfer cavity is configured such that gas, after flowing through the transfer cavity, reaches the venturi sleeve.

8. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein the needle is configured such that as the needle moves closer to a venturi throat, a cross-sectional area is reduced, thereby reducing a flow rate of gas, such that after the gas passes through the venturi throat, the gas reaches a tubing zone where the gas mixes with a production fluid to lighten a fluid density and hydrostatic pressure of the fluid.

9. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , comprising a first pressure zone restricting gas coming from the transfer cavity so that the gas passes through taper holes formed in the venturi sleeve, and a second pressure zone formed between central and lower seals.

10. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein that transfer cavity is formed using a void space in the mandrel, or by using pipes, elbows, or end flanges sealed with the mandrel.

11. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein a seal of the one or more seals disposed on the exterior of the venturi sleeve is disposed between a venturi chamber and the annulus, such that taper holes in the venturi sleeve direct gas entering a pre-venturi chamber toward a venturi throat.

12. The electric gas lift valve of claim 1 , wherein the needle is configured to move axially, wherein a rotation of the needle is configured to be constrained by an engagement of the anti-rotation key in the longitudinal side slot.

13. An electric gas lift valve comprising:
a mandrel comprising side ports;
one or more annulus configured for gas flow;
a venturi sleeve;
one or more seals disposed on the exterior of the venturi sleeve to contain the gas in different pressure zones;
a needle comprising a longitudinal side slot;
a governor comprising an upper portion that is at least partially spherical and comprises a through hole, and a lower portion extending from the upper portion, wherein:
the lower portion is at least partially tube-shaped,
the through hole comprises an offset, and
the needle comprises a taper slot that receives a pin anchored in the lower portion of the governor, wherein when the governor rotates, the pin drives the needle downward toward the venturi sleeve or upward away from the venturi sleeve, thereby decreasing or increasing a flow of gas;

an anti-rotational key that is anchored to the mandrel and extends into the longitudinal side slot of the needle;
a transfer cavity; and
a rotational bellow, wherein the rotational bellow is configured to absorb torsion, the rotational bellow comprising:
a plurality of convolutions bent following a circular trajectory such that a start edge of a first convolution of the plurality of convolutions coincides with a finish edge of a last convolution of the plurality of convolutions, the start edge of the first convolution being coupled to the finish edge of the last convolution.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Perrucci Lucas Antonio
• Do Nascimento Sagrilo Lucas
• Elston Cassius Alexander
• Fadly Arinta
• Bauli Graziano Felipe
• Scussiato Eduardo
• Wakerley Thomas

Classifications

• F16K11/165

  with the rotating spindles parallel to the closure members · CPC title

• F16K11/02

  with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit · CPC title

• F16K11/163

  only turns · CPC title

• E21B43/123

  Gas lift valves · CPC title

• E21B43/1235 Primary

  characterised by electromagnetic actuation · CPC title