A computational analysis of nondifferentiable optimization: Applications to production maximization in gas-lifted oil fields

This work presents the application of two methods of nondifferentiable optimization applied to the problem of optimizing the economic gain in the production of oil fields operated with continuous gas-lift. The problem addressed consists in allocating the amount of lift-gas to be injected into each well, subject to a limited lift-gas compression capacity of the field, and to the minimum and maximum flow of gas of each well, so all the constraints considered are linear. The potential of Directional Direct-Search and Nondifferentiable Trust-Region methods in solving this problem is analyzed, through the resolution of the stated problem in a field of wells, considering varied scenarios.