The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for controlling pressure in a CO2-based chromatography system. A first pressure control element is located downstream of a CO2-based chromatography system and is disposed to control pressure within the column. A split restrictor is located downstream of the primary pressure control element and is disposed to divert a portion of the mobile phase flow to a detector. A second pressure control element is located downstream of the split restrictor and is disposed to control pressure at the restrictor. While the first pressure control element executes a pressure-controlled gradient separation, the second pressure control element maintains a constant pressure at the restrictor. During a composition-programmed gradient separation, the second control element maintains a constant pressure at the split restrictor while the first pressure control element maintains a constant average density across the column.