Artificial lift system and method for well

An artificial lift system for use in a well, the well extending from the surface of the earth through a producing formation, the well having an annulus, the system comprising:

• a) a downhole fluid lifting mechanism located in the well, the fluid lifting mechanism having a fluid operating level wherein fluid located at the fluid operating level is operated on by the fluid lifting mechanism to be lifted to the surface, the fluid lifting mechanism communicating with a remote intake located below the fluid operating level;
• b) the annulus being in fluid communication with the remote intake;
• c) a compressed gas source independent of the producing formation and providing compressed gas to the well annulus at a pressure sufficient to move fluids in the well from the remote intake to the fluid operating level;
• d) at least one isolation element that prevents the compressed gas in the annulus from entering the producing formation.