Recycle loop for a gas lift plunger

A system for operating a gas-lift plunger in a well, comprising:

• a pressure vessel positioned outside of the well, wherein the pressure vessel is configured to contain a gas therein;
• a compressor comprising a driver, an inlet, and an outlet, wherein the compressor is configured to compress the gas between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the gas is fed to the inlet from the pressure vessel, wherein the compressor is connected to the pressure vessel;
• a valve coupled to the outlet of the compressor, wherein the valve has a first position in which the valve directs the gas from the outlet of the compressor to the pressure vessel, and wherein the valve has a second position in which the valve directs the gas from the outlet of the compressor to the well, wherein the valve is directly connected to the compressor;
• and
• a controller in communication with the driver of the compressor and with the valve, wherein the controller is configured to:
• determine that the gas-lift plunger has reached a predetermined position in the well;
• in response to determining that the gas-lift plunger has reached the predetermined position, cause the compressor to stop compressing the gas, and cause the valve to be in the first position such that the gas at the outlet of the compressor is directed into the pressure vessel and not to the well;
• determine that the gas-lift plunger has descended in the well;
• and
• in response to determining that the gas-lift plunger has descended in the well, cause the compressor to compress the gas and cause the valve to be in the second position such that the gas at the outlet of the compressor is directed to the well.

A method for operating a gas-lift plunger in a well, comprising:

• receiving a signal from a sensor, the signal representing that the gas-lift plunger has reached a position in the well that is proximate to the top of the well;
• in response to receiving the signal;
• causing a compressor to stop compressing a gas between an inlet of the compressor and an outlet of the compressor;
• and
• positioning a valve in a first position, the valve in the first position being configured to receive the gas from the outlet of the compressor and feed the gas to a pressure vessel that is positioned outside of the well, wherein the gas is received at the inlet of the compressor from the pressure vessel;
• determining that the plunger has descended in the well;
• and
• In response to determining that the plunger has descended in the well;
• causing the compressor to compress the gas between the inlet and the outlet of the compressor;
• and
• positioning the valve in a second position such that the gas flows from the outlet of the compressor to the well via the valve in the second position, wherein the compressor is connected to the pressure vessel, and wherein the valve is directly connected to the compressor.