High Pressure Lift Steps Into The Spotlight

High pressure lift growth drives production gains and lower methane risks as Flowco expands solutions; operators should prioritize flexible, low-emission lift tech

24 Nov 2025

A quiet shift is taking hold in North American oil fields, and it begins far below the wellhead. High pressure gas lift, long treated as a niche solution, is edging into the mainstream as operators look for steady output, lower emissions, and a way to live with tougher rules.

The latest push came after Flowco broadened its high pressure lift and methane capture lineup. The company reported a strong second quarter and noted an uptick in customer interest. Its August 2025 purchase of HPGL and vapor recovery assets expanded its rental fleet and, in Flowco’s view, gave clients more room to navigate new regulations. Those claims reflect the company’s position, but they also land within a wider and more complex industry landscape.

The draw of high pressure lift is easy to spot in aging shale plays. As reservoir pressures fall, producers hunt for methods that keep wells moving without costly overhauls. Analysts say the technology performs well in these uneven conditions because it adapts to the twists of modern wellbores. Data varies, yet observers report growing use across the Permian, a hint that plans for new wells are shifting.

Flowco is also tapping into a rising priority. Capturing methane before it escapes has become central as scrutiny tightens. Vapor recovery units now appear more often on pads, and pairing them with advanced lift systems is creating setups that support both production and environmental aims. Flowco calls this pairing essential to its strategy, though adoption still differs by region and by operator. One analyst puts current uptake near 20 percent, a figure that continues to climb.

Competitors are exploring other routes. SSi is promoting North American made rod lift systems to shrink supply chain risks and soften tariff concerns. These contrasting bets show an industry searching for resilience in a volatile commodity cycle.

Challenges remain. Prices are under pressure and large rental fleets can strain capital. Even so, the direction is becoming clearer. Companies that can boost output while trimming emissions are shaping the next phase of North American energy, and high pressure lift is quietly moving toward the center of that story.