Variable orifice gas lift valve for high flow rates with detachable power source and method of using

A method for using a valve in a subterranean well, comprising:

• sealably inserting a valve body with a longitudinal bore therethrough in a mandrel;
• installing a variable orifice valve in the body;
• installing a moveable hydraulic piston connected to the variable orifice valve;
• connecting a valve-open and a valve-closed hydraulic control line to be in fluid communication with the hydraulic piston for providing dual supplies of pressurized fluid thereto;
• opening the variable orifice valve by applying pressure to the hydraulic piston through the valve-open control line and bleeding off pressure from the valve-closed control line;
• closing the variable orifice valve by applying pressure to the hydraulic piston through the valve-closed control line and bleeding off pressure from the valve-open control line;
• and,
• controlling the amount of fluid flowing through the variable orifice valve and the mandrel by varying the amount of pressurized fluid being applied to and bled off from the hydraulic piston through the control lines.

A valve for variably controlling the flow of a first fluid within a well, comprising:

• a variable orifice valve for controlling flow of the first fluid within a well;
• a moveable hydraulic piston connected to the variable orifice valve;
• and,
• a valve-open and a valve-closed hydraulic control line in fluid communication with the hydraulic piston for providing dual supplies of pressurized fluid thereto;
• whereby the amount of the first fluid flowing through the variable orifice valve and the well is controlled by operation of the valve-open control line, the valve-closed control line, and the hydraulic piston.

A method for using a valve in a subterranean well, comprising:

• installing a variable orifice valve for controlling flow of a first fluid through the well;
• connecting a valve-open and a valve-closed hydraulic control line to the variable orifice valve for providing dual supplies of pressurized fluid thereto;
• installing a moveable hydraulic piston connected to the variable orifice valve and in fluid communication with the valve-open and valve-closed hydraulic control lines;
• and
• controlling the amount of the first fluid flowing through the variable orifice valve and the well by operation of the valve-open control line, the valve-closed control line, and the hydraulic piston.