TECHNICAL PAPERS | Artificial Lift
Numerical Simulation of Gas Lift
Optimization Uses Genetic Algorithm
Optimal allocation of gas-injection rates in large
fields through a gas lift network is a challenging
task. Traditional gas lift optimization programs
may prove inefficient or incapable of modeling
gas lift optimization in extremely large networks.
The key objective of the complete paper is to
assess the feasibility of using the genetic algorithm
(GA) technique to optimize the allocation of
continuous gas lift injection rate in a network
of a Middle Eastern oil field with 43 gas lift
injected wells through numerical modeling
and simulation studies.
GA
GA is an optimization technique that solves
constrained and unconstrained optimization
problems through a natural-selection process based
on the concept of evolutionary biology, including
the fundamental processes of selection, crossover,
and mutation. Instead of considering a single point
or solution, a population of solutions is designed.
The algorithm modifies the population of individual
solutions repetitively, selects individuals randomly
from the current population as parents, and uses
these parents to produce the children for the next
This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris
Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 20254,
“Numerical Simulation of Gas Lift Optimization Using
Genetic Algorithm for a Middle East Oil Field: Feasibility
Study,” by Mustafa AlJuboori and Mofazzal Hossain, SPE,
Curtin University, and Omar Al-Fatlawi, SPE, University
of Baghdad, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed.
Copyright 2021 International Petroleum Technology
Conference. Reproduced by permission.
Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JPT/article-pdf/74/03/65/2685540/spe-0322-0065-jpt.pdf by University of Baghdad, Dhifaf Sadeq on 24 October 2023
generation. The population evolves over successive
generations toward an optimal solution. The
solution process of GA follows different principles
as compared with conventional approaches. These
fundamental differences are as follows:
• GA uses objective function.
• Instead of using a single point, it uses a
population of design points or variables that
avoid a local optimum solution.
• Strings of binary numbers represent the design
variables, which are similar to chromosomes in
genetics, so discrete and integer problems are
naturally applicable to GA.
GA avoids falling into local optimums by
sustaining multiple points to multiple-point
approaches of each generation. In such a method,
the probability of surviving the best, fittest solution
is high as compared with a low-fitness solution.
As a result, the GA mostly will result in a global
optimal solution.
GA techniques consists of five basic phases:
• Initial population
• Fitness function
• Selection
• Crossover
• Mutation
The process begins with an initial population
comprising a set of individuals (i.e., solutions) within
a search space. An individual is characterized by a
range of combinations of the design variables (or
For a limited time, the complete
paper is free to SPE members
at jpt.spe.org.
jpt.spe.org 65
 TECHNICAL PAPERS | Artificial Lift

Selection
A
B 1 0 1 1 0 Crossover

D 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1
C
No 0 1 1 1 0

Performance curve Optimization criteria Yes

Mutation

Gas lift inj. rate Total oil prod. Stop 1 0 0 1 1

A 0 1 0 0 0 = 0.2 (MMscf/D) = 500 (STB/D)
0 1 1 1 0

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B 1 0 1 1 0 = 0.8 (MMscf/D) = 1000 (STB/D)
C 1 1 0 1 0 = 0.6 (MMscf/D) = 700 (STB/D)
Reproduction
D 0 1 0 1 1 = 1 (MMscf/D) = 1500 (STB/D)
Population size
(Gas lift rate size)

Fig. 1—Work flow using GA to obtain optimal results.

parameters) termed “genes,” which are joined into
a string to form a chromosome (or solution). For
each solution, the objective function is assessed
with regard to its level of fitness. Each solution is
paired with another to form a mating pair, used
for reproduction of subsequent populations. The
mating pairs produce new solutions as offspring,
which retain values of the design variables
generated by crossover of the parents’ values. In
addition, random mutation is introduced to some
of the new solution’s values. The process of GA
technique is random, even though its optimization
permits one solution to establish the level of control.
Field Background
The field has a vast reserve of nearly
2.7 billion STB of heavy oil (approximately
23 °API). The producing layer is at a depth of
approximately 4000 m with an initial reservoir
pressure of approximately 6300 psi. This field
consists of two domes, north and south. The
average reservoir pressure in these domes ranges
from 4,700 to 4,259 psi. The field consists of 43
production wells with an average oil-production
rate of approximately 72,740 STB/D. The field is
considered to be producing under a depletion
drive mechanism. The reservoir pressure drops
relatively quickly, causing a decrease in oil-
production rate, and an increase in water cut, in
some wells. Therefore, the reduction in average
reservoir pressure and well performance prompt
the implementation of gas lift.
Building the Well Model
Many well properties must be defined to build the
well model. These data are found to be different
from one well to another. Fig. 1 shows a model
schematic after being built using a commercial
simulator. The well model is begun by supplying
the location of the well, type of well, casing details,
perforation characteristics, tubing diameter,
nodal point, flowline diameter, temperature,
and wellhead pressure. The well model is then
history matched to prepare for modeling gas lift
performance in the field.
Gas Lift Design Data
The gas produced from this field is reported to be,
on average, approximately 36 MMscf/D. Initially,
the associated gas is separated, then treated,
collected, and recycled again by injection into the
oil wells. The operating gas lift valve is set 100
ft above the packer. The surface temperature
is approximately 113°F. The minimum flowing
bottomhole pressure is assumed to be 50 psi more
than the bubblepoint pressure.

66 JPT | March 2022


Building the Field Model
After well modeling is complete, the surface
network model is built using a commercial
simulator.
Sensitivity Analyses. Sensitivity analyses were
performed to investigate the potential effect of
change in reservoir pressure and water cut on the
performance of natural flowing and gas lift wells,
especially over time, when declining reservoir
pressure and increasing water cut will be observed.
Water-Cut Sensitivity. These studies were
performed for both natural flowing and gas lift
wells to investigate the effect of water cut on the
well, as well as field performance. The water cuts
considered in this study varied from 10 to 50%. The
sensitivity study was conducted after and before
the application of gas lift for each well at the same
wellhead pressure to compare the well behavior in
each case without bias against one method.
Reservoir-Pressure Sensitivity. These studies were
performed to investigate the effect of reservoir-
pressure depletion on the well-performance
profile, identify its potential influence on the field-
production life cycle for both natural flowing and
gas lift wells, and investigate whether the gas lift
wells can have any positive influence in relation to
improvement of well performance in the case of
reservoir pressure depletion. The average reservoir
pressures considered for sensitivity studies were
4,700, 4,000, 3,200, 2,400, 1,600, and 800 psi for a
given minimum wellhead pressure of 250 psi.
Results and Discussion
Simulation Results. The simulation was conducted
for both naturally flowing wells and continuous
gas lift wells. The gas lift performance is optimized
using the GA technique for a limited gas lift
injection rate of 81 MMscf/day. The simulation
results for naturally flowing wells and gas lift wells
demonstrates that there is significant increase
in daily oil production rate from each well as
TECHNICAL PAPERS | Artificial Lift
compared with naturally flowing wells. The overall
increase of daily field production rate is found to be
from 72,740 to 180,162 STB/D.
Water-Cut Sensitivity Results. The water-
cut sensitivity was studied for 41 oil wells for
naturally producing wells and gas lifted wells. As
expected, the increasing water cut decreases the
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oil production rate for both natural flowing and gas
lift wells. The increasing water cut also requires a
higher lift gas injection rate. However, the overall oil
production rate appears to be improved significantly
after the application of gas lift. The overall
production gain because of the gas lift is found to
be very substantial, especially at higher water cut.
Reservoir-Pressure-Sensitivity Results. This
study investigated the effect of decreasing
reservoir pressure on oil-well performance.
The oil-production rate will decrease during the
depletion of average reservoir pressure from
4,700 to 3,500 psi. But with gas lift, all wells appear
to maintain production during the depletion of
average reservoir pressure up to 600 psi. This
indicates that all gas lift wells will remain productive
even with low average reservoir pressure as
compared with naturally producing wells.
Conclusions
• G A appears to have the ability to model a large
number of wells produced concurrently in a
network system for the prediction of optimal
allocation of the gas-injection rate with an aim
to maximize the oil-production rate.
• The gas lift technique is found to be beneficial
for wells with relatively higher water cut.
• In the event of reservoir-pressure depletion,
gas lift appears to be beneficial not only
for improving well production but also for
increasing the field life cycle.
• Sample economic analysis demonstrates that
the gas lift technique can increase the daily
oil production rate of every well in the field
substantially. JPT
jpt.spe.org 67