Gas lift is used to increase oil production rates or to enable non flowing wells to flow by

reducing the hydrostatic head of the fluid column in the well. Conventional gas lift systems
pump gas down the annulus from the surface. This requires a considerable investment in
pipelines, compressors, and other equipment.

The terms auto gas lift refer to system that use gas from a gas-bearing formation or a gas cap to
lift an oil producing zone artificially. In auto gas lift wells, gas is bled into the production tubing
at a controlled rate from gas zone. The flow of gas into the production tubing is controlled by a
downhole flow control valve with a capability to adjust the flow area from surface by hydraulic
means.

Auto gas lift system having the following advantages as,

 increasing oil production rates through the use of a cost effective artificial lift system
 eliminating the capital costs of gas-compression facilities or gas transport pipelines
 reducing the offshore platform load requirements by removing the need for gas
compression facilities
 eliminating the need for the annular safety valves that can be necessary in conventional
gas lift environments
 enabling non associated gas to be produced without recompleting the well
 providing operators with a system to control gas and water coning
 eliminating interventions for resizing or replacing conventional gas lift environments

Auto gas lift flow control valves have a range of positions that enable the gas flow rate to be
controlled and the production to be optimized across the range of anticipated well conditions.
The valves can be actuated under significant pressure differentials and are robust enough to
withstand the erosive effects of abrasive fluids. They also prevent fluid flowing from the tubing
into the annulus. This is necessary for pressure testing of the production tubing and to prevent
damage to the gas-producing zone.

Annulus and tubing pressure gauges close to the auto gas lift valve measure up-stream and
down-stream pressures. Gas lift rates are calculated from this data so that modeling can be
performed to ensure that the valve is properly sized and suitable for the changing well
conditions.