Background The peculiarity of the situation at present is the necessity for efficient determination of flow regime for large wells fund. The appropriate way of optimization of gas-lift well operation method used for oil extraction usually is based on the results of study of individual wells, so it has a number of weak points. Aims and Objectives To identify the key issues of optimization of gas-lift wells. Selecting the optimal mode of gas-lift wells operation, it is necessary to take into consideration, that the selected optimum mode is stable for a short period of time equal to the time of interaction between wells only. Methods There was provided a combination of theoretical and experimental research in order to define latest techniques of gas lift wells optimization. Results It is found, that for a more rational exploitation of wells with low output it is necessary to increase flow rate by periodic gas lift. It is shown that the gas leakage through the threaded connections are observed in almost all wells, and their values are 8 ... 10% of the injected gas.