Patent ID: 9057255
Filing Date: 2015-06-16
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A gas lift method, comprising: deploying a gas lift valve downhole in a mandrel; biasing a first valve mechanism in the gas lift valve to a closed condition restricting fluid communication from at least one inlet to a first outlet of the gas lift valve; basing a second valve mechanism in the gas lift valve to a closed condition restricting fluid communication from the at least one inlet to a second outlet of the gas lift valve; communicating fluid outside the mandrel through the at least one inlet in the gas lift valve; initially operating the gas lift valve in a single injection operation by controlling passage of inlet fluid from the at least one inlet to the first outlet with the first valve mechanism responsive to fluid pressure at the at least one inlet and by preventing inlet fluid from passing out a second outlet of the gas lift valve with a removable plug at the second outlet; subsequently operating the gas lift valve in a dual injection operation by controlling passage of inlet fluid from the at least one inlet to the first outlet with the first valve mechanism responsive to fluid pressure at the least one inlet, by removing the plug from the second outlet, and by controlling passage of inlet fluid from the at least one inlet to the second outlet with the second valve mechanism responsive to fluid pressure at the at least one inlet; and preventing, in both the single and dual injection operations, fluid in the mandrel from passing through the gas lift valve from the first and second outlets to the at least one inlet.