Patent ID: 9670739
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: E21B

Claim:
1. A gas lift valve system for a wellbore within a subterranean formation, the system comprising: a power source that generates power; a delivery system disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the power source, wherein the delivery system delivers the power generated by the power source, wherein the delivery system comprises a tubing string, wherein the tubing string comprises a plurality of electrically conductive tubing pipes mechanically coupled end-to-end and through which the power flows, wherein the tubing string forms a first cavity that runs along its length; at least one gas lift valve assembly disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the delivery system, wherein the at least one gas lift valve assembly comprises an inlet channel, an outlet channel, and at least one valve disposed between the inlet channel and the outlet channel, wherein the at least one valve has a plurality of positions, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a fully-closed position, wherein the at least one gas lift valve assembly receives the power from the delivery system, wherein the power received from the delivery system determines a position of the plurality of positions of the at least one valve, and wherein the at least one valve, when in a position other than the fully closed position, allows a control medium to flow from the inlet channel to the outlet channel, wherein the outlet channel empties into the first cavity; a casing disposed within the wellbore and comprising a plurality of electrically conductive casing pipes mechanically coupled end-to-end, wherein the casing has a second cavity running therethrough; a first isolator sub mechanically coupled to and positioned between a top neutral section and a power-transmitting section of the tubing string, wherein the first isolator sub has the first cavity running therethrough, and wherein the first isolator sub electrically separates the casing from the tubing string and the top neutral section from the power-transmitting section; a second isolator sub mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between a bottom neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string, wherein the second isolator sub has the first cavity running therethrough, and wherein the second isolator sub electrically separates the bottom neutral section from the power-transmitting section; and a conductive interface disposed within the second cavity, wherein the conductive interface electrically couples the casing and the tubing string, wherein the at least one gas lift valve assembly is disposed below the first isolator sub and is electrically and mechanically coupled to the power-transmitting section of the tubing string, wherein the tubing string and the first isolator sub are disposed within the second cavity without contacting the casing, wherein the top neutral section of the tubing string is positioned proximate to an entry point of the wellbore, and wherein the bottom neutral section of the tubing string is positioned toward a distal end of the wellbore, wherein the power-transmitting section of the tubing string is positioned between the top neutral section and the bottom neutral section.