The use of gas lift is not limited to wells incapable of natural flow; in many applications offshore on the UK Continental Shelf, gas lift is applied to naturally flowing wells to accelerate production. More than 20 manned installations have one or more gas lifted production wells drilled from the installation. (Health and Safety Executive - UK)

The proper measurement of production in marginal fields and new developments to optimize gas lift operations is a very important factor in the oil industry. The enhanced allocation of gas lift wells can result in immediate production payback by increasing each well production versus the injection ratio through real time well data readings. (Egypt Oil & Gas)

As the industry seeks to extend its ability to develop marginal offshore oil reserves profitably, fields requiring gas lift to generate sufficient oil production often pose a sizable challenge. Gas lift in subsea wells, using injected gas from surface, requires extensive infrastructure – the cost of which can render a marginal field uneconomic to develop. (Scandinavian Oil-Gas Online)