Unbalanced, single-element gas lift valves

The unbalanced, single-element gas lift valve is essentially an unbalanced pressure regulator. The analogy
between these two devices is apparent in Fig. 1, where:
(a) Injection-pressure-operated gas lift valve and backpressure regulator responds to injection-gas
pressure and upstream pressure, respectively
(b) Production-pressure-(fluid)-operated gas lift valve and downstream-pressure regulator respond to
flowing production pressure and downstream pressure, respectively.
The closing force for a gas lift valve can be a gas pressure charge in the bellows exerted over the effective
bellows area or a spring force, or a combination of both. The closing force for the regulator or gas lift valve
can be adjusted to maintain a desired backpressure for injection-pressure operation. The regulator or valve
remains closed until this set closing force is exceeded.