ABSTRACT The optimum design of a continuous flow gas lift installation is dependent upon the critical combination of a number of pertinent variables, including well performance index, gas in solution, static reservoir pressure, tubing size and injection gas pressure. The economic performance of the optimum design is dependent upon maintaining a minimum injection gas to produced liquid ratio that relates to minimum adiabatic power associated with recycle gas compression. Examples illustrate this to be accomplished by designing for and maintaining injection gas pressures such that a maximum injection valve depth for the design production rate can be utilized.