Self-regulating lift fluid injection tool and method for use of same

A self-regulating lift fluid injection tool adapted for placement within production tubing disposed within a well casing comprising:

• a control valve operably disposed within the tool for controlling the rate of injection of a lift fluid into formation fluids being produced through the production tubing;
• a sensor monitoring the flow rate of the formation fluids through the production tubing and providing a signal indicative thereof;
• an electronics package communicably coupled to the sensor for generating a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor;
• a transmitter communicably coupled to the electronics package for transmitting information from the tool to a remote location;
• a receiver communicably coupled to the electronics package for receiving signals from a remote location;
• and
• an actuator communicably coupled to the electronics package for adjusting the position of the control valve to regulate the flow rate of the lift fluid therethrough in response to the control signal.

A self-regulating method for controlling the injection of a lift fluid into formation fluids passing through production tubing comprising:

• disposing a lift fluid injection tool having a control valve and a sensor within the production tubing;
• monitoring the flow rate of the formation fluids through the production tubing with the sensor;
• and
• adjusting the position of the control valve in response to the flow rate of the formation fluids, thereby controlling the injection of a lift fluid into formation fluids.