A Smarter Way to Fine-Tune Oilfield Production

Electric gas lift lets operators adjust live wells remotely, offering a lower-cost way to optimize mature fields without shutdowns

19 Dec 2025

A growing number of oil and gas operators are examining electric gas lift as a way to improve production from mature fields without shutting wells for costly interventions.

The interest reflects a broader focus on cost control and asset longevity, as aging reservoirs account for a large share of global output. Keeping wells online while adjusting performance has become increasingly important, particularly where downtime erodes already thin margins.

Electric gas lift challenges the traditional approach to managing declining wells. Conventional gas lift systems rely on fixed mechanical valves that are set during installation. As reservoir pressure and fluid conditions change, those designs can become inefficient, often requiring wells to be shut in so equipment can be replaced or reset.

A retrievable electric gas lift system developed by Emerson in partnership with Interwell aims to address that limitation. The technology allows operators to adjust gas injection rates remotely, without pulling mechanical valves or stopping production. Analysts say even modest reductions in downtime can translate into meaningful gains in efficiency and output over a field’s life.

Gas lift remains one of the most widely used artificial lift methods, particularly in older fields. However, its static nature can lead to wasted gas and unstable production as wells age. Electric gas lift seeks to make the process more flexible, enabling operators to fine-tune performance as downhole conditions evolve.

That flexibility aligns with a wider shift toward digitally enabled production systems. Industry observers note that operators are placing greater value on tools that respond to real-time data, especially as companies prioritise maximising recovery from existing assets over investing in new drilling.

The retrievable design of the system adds to its appeal. Equipment can be installed and recovered by wireline rather than through full workovers, lowering costs and operational risk. This is particularly relevant offshore and in remote onshore regions, where interventions are complex and expensive.

Widespread adoption is likely to be gradual. Electric components must demonstrate long-term reliability in harsh downhole environments, and most operators are expected to wait for consistent field results before deploying the technology at scale.

If those results prove durable, electric gas lift is unlikely to transform well management overnight. Instead, it could support a quieter shift toward more adaptive production, allowing wells to be adjusted incrementally as they mature rather than rebuilt once performance declines.