Emerson, in collaboration with Interwell, a global leader in well intervention and integrity solutions, has announced the launch of the Adaptive Gas Lift System (AGLS), the world’s first retrievable electric gas lift system designed to comply with internationally recognised safety and performance standards
The AGLS enables continuous optimisation of oil production without requiring costly and intrusive well interventions. Its retrievable design reduces downtime while improving both safety and sustainability in gas lift operations.
Conventional gas lift systems are typically most effective in the early stages of a well’s life, when tubing pressure is high. As reservoir conditions change, drawdown efficiency drops and oil output declines, often resulting in over or under-injection of lift gas. Traditional injection pressure operated (IPO) valves must reduce casing pressure to close, which restricts injection depth and production capacity.
Controlling casing pressure and temperature-related uncertainties in valve behaviour can also cause multi-pointing, where gas is injected at unintended depths, creating inefficiencies and production losses. To address these challenges, operators often resort to costly interventions to alter valve port sizes or injection depths.
The Adaptive Gas Lift System revolutionises gas lift operations by offering real-time remote control of valve port sizes, gas injection rates, injection depths and drawdown, all without halting production. Since valve closure does not depend on reducing casing pressure, operators can achieve deeper injection, resulting in improved lifting efficiency throughout the well’s lifecycle.
With continuous data-based online adjustments, the AGLS removes the need for traditional intervention-based modifications, maximising uptime, production and safety while shortening project payback periods. Its unique retrievable design allows complete valve assembly replacements using standard wireline techniques, avoiding the need for costly workovers.
The system is powered and managed through Emerson’s Roxar Integrated Downhole Network, a permanent monitoring and control platform that delivers real-time data on pressure, temperature and flow for enhanced reservoir management. It also incorporates Interwell’s proven Side Pocket Mandrels and barrier-rated Gas Lift Valve.
AGLS has been designed and qualified to meet the American Petroleum Institute’s API 19G1 (V1), 19G2 (V0), and the Advanced Well Equipment Standards Group’s AWES 3362-36 standards.
By reducing the frequency of well interventions, which typically require heavy equipment mobilisation, energy use and associated emissions, the system lowers the carbon footprint of gas lift operations. Its enhanced production efficiency further decreases CO2 emissions per barrel of oil, supporting more sustainable energy production.
“We designed the AGLS to meet the most rigorous industry standards,” said Jan Inge Ellingsen, vice president and general manager for Roxar products at Emerson’s measurement solutions business. “This innovative technology will help unlock the full potential of assets in the field while eliminating the need for extensive interventions, improving safety, and supporting the transition toward net-zero energy production.”
“The oil and gas industry has long required a more dynamic and resilient approach to electric gas lift,” said Thormod Langballe, chief executive officer of Interwell. “Combining Emerson’s industry-leading digital automation expertise with Interwell’s specialised gas lift technology and know-how, we have developed a robust, real-time controllable gas lift solution that tackles these challenges head-on.”
