Advanced Control for Gas-Lift Well Optimization

The search for improvements in the production efficiency is one of the main challenges for the production engineers responsible for an asset, mainly at moments of low prices and very strict regulations for safety, environment and quality of products. Another point is that offshore plants are becoming more complex, so advanced control systems can support the operators and play an important role to improve stability and profitability. This paper will present an advanced control algorithm for gas-lift optimization of offshore wells that aims to increase oil production. It will also show and discuss some results of the implementations of this real time advanced control system in two offshore platforms, emphasizing the economic gains and critical points to maintain this controller running with a good performance.