One illustrative artificial lift method includes deriving compressed natural gas (CNG) from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and employing the CNG to hydraulically drive a downhole pump that forces fluid from the well. An illustrative system embodiment includes an evaporator, a controller, and a downhole pump. The evaporator converts LNG into CNG, which the controller employs to alternately pressurize and depressurize a hydraulic line. The downhole pump includes a plunger that performs a pump stroke in response to the pressurization and a return stroke in response to the depressurization; these pump and return strokes operate to force fluid from a well. Further disclosed herein is the use of a virtual pipeline to supply LNG for such artificial lift systems and methods. It includes: liquefying natural gas to fill a transport trailer at an offsite facility; transporting the trailer to a site of a well; and coupling the trailer to surface equipment.