Piloting actuator valve for subterranean flow control

Abstract

The present invention provides for a pilot valve used in a well and in which the state of the pilot valve is controlled by an actuator.

1 . A method to control a main valve in a well comprising:
 providing a pilot valve in the well;   energizing an actuator to establish an energized state of fluid communication between the main valve and the pilot valve, thereby putting the main valve in a first state; and   de-energizing the actuator to establish a de-energized state of fluid communication between the main valve and the pilot valve, thereby putting the main valve in a second state.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising varying the injection pressure of injected fluids. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  in which providing a pilot valve further comprises providing the pilot valve for downhole flow control, gas lift, chemical injection, or water injection. 
   
   
       4 . A method to provide variability in fluid flow rates in a well comprising using a plurality of main valves arranged to form an operating cluster, each main valve being controlled by a pilot valve. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  in which using a plurality of main valves further comprises using the main valves for downhole flow control, gas lift, chemical injection, or water injection.