Electric Lift Venture Targets Faster Well Optimisation

Emerson–Interwell system offers remote adjustments as ageing fields face tighter scrutiny

20 Nov 2025

Emerson and Interwell have launched a retrievable electric gas lift system that allows operators to adjust well performance from the surface, a development viewed by many producers as a notable shift in artificial-lift technology.

The system replaces fixed mechanical valves with electric units that respond in real time. Companies say this reduces the need to halt production or send crews to remote sites, cutting idle time and lowering emissions at a moment when regulators are paying closer attention to ageing fields.

Emerson said the approach enables “continuous optimization with fewer interruptions”, while Interwell pointed to the combination of established lift hardware and digital control. Their comments align with a wider move in the sector toward remote operations, which has expanded quickly as operators seek to manage more wells with fewer on-site staff.

The launch comes as many North American fields enter late-life phases and rely heavily on artificial lift to maintain output. Traditional equipment, designed for slower operating cycles, can struggle to meet current performance demands. Surface-based adjustments offer operators greater flexibility and the potential for safer, more efficient work.

Adoption, however, will require investment in digital infrastructure. Expanded connectivity raises questions about data security and remote oversight, while companies with large legacy portfolios may need time to shift away from long-established routines. Analysts say these obstacles are common across the sector as producers modernise their lift systems.

Even so, industry expectations are rising. The Emerson–Interwell venture is seen as a test case for applying updated engineering to long-standing production challenges. Early reactions suggest the technology could spur new partnerships and further investment as operators prepare for a more resilient, digitally enabled production environment.