Patent ID: 10941639

Abstract:
A production tubing is disposed in a wellbore formed in a subterranean zone. The production tubing extends from a surface of the wellbore to a downhole location at which hydrocarbons entrapped in the subterranean zone enter the wellbore. Multiple valves are disposed in the production tubing at respective multiple tubing locations. Each valve is configured to permit one-way flow of hydrocarbons in an uphole direction. The multiple valves divide the production tubing into multiple stages. A stage is a portion of the production tubing between two successively disposed valves. Multiple gas injection valves are coupled to the production tubing and are disposed in a respective stage. A controller, coupled to the multiple valves and the multiple gas injection valves, transmits signals to the multiple valves and the multiple gas injection valves to lift hydrocarbons flowed into the wellbore at the downhole location to the surface on a stage-by-stage basis.