Patent ID: 8381821
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A gas lift valve assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising: a housing comprising a first passageway substantially concentric with a central passageway of a string to communicate well fluid and a second passageway eccentrically disposed with respect to the central passageway to communicate a second fluid to lift the well fluid; a valve disposed in the second passageway and comprising a ball valve having a ball element which is rotatable by a pin to regulate communication of the second fluid, the pin being moved via an operator positioned for movement in the second passageway; and an actuator positioned in the second passageway and coupled to the operator, the actuator being exposed to a wellbore annulus around the housing, the actuator being responsive to actuate the ball valve when annulus pressure exerted by a fluid in the wellbore annulus exceeds a predefined threshold, the operator being biased by a force aligned with the second passageway to return the ball element to an original position when the annulus pressure drops below the predetermined threshold.