A method for removing water from a coal seam gas well or shale gas well, the coal seam gas well or shale gas well including an outer casing into which coal seam gas and water flow near the lower region of the coal seam gas well, the method includes delivering pressurized methane into a lower region of the gas well, the pressurized methane acting to lift water from the lower region of the gas well, and cause it to flow upwards towards the surface. A system is also provided for removing water from a coal seam gas well or shale gas well. The method may be retro-fitted to existing CSG wells or shale gas wells.