Wavefront Technology Solutions

During primary recovery, the reservoir's natural pressure or gravity drives oil into the wellbore, combined with artificial lift techniques (such as pumps) which bring the oil to the surface. But only about 10 percent of a reservoir's original oil in place is typically produced during primary recovery.[6]

But petroleum isn't the only thing trapped in the earth. Water hides there too. Sooner or later, the reservoir begins producing water, along with oil, and it becomes uneconomical to continue. The oil companies will then re-inject the water back into the reservoir. This stage of production is called secondary recovery.[6]

Water injection helps maintain down hole pressure so that oil can continue to flow. Water from the injection well is also used to sweep or push them towards the producing wells. But rock in the reservoir has varying permeability; the more permeable the rock is, the more easily the fluid can flow through.[6]

Water takes the path of least resistance when pumped into the ground

Unfortunately, water flows more readily than oil, and it always takes the path of least resistance. Once water creates a channel through the permeable rock to the producing well bore, there is little benefit in injecting additional water. It only bypasses the oil instead of sweeping it ahead. The result is poor recovery from the reservoir.[7]

In the energy sector, Wavefront Technology Solutions Inc. has patented the Power Pulse Technology as "Powerwave." This process has been field-tested and proven to increase the amount of oil recovered from on shore oil wells, including low-producing or even abandoned fields.[9] Powerwave utilizes this technology to improve the flow of water through geological materials, including sedimentary soils and fractured rock. These materials are composed of a solid matrix and pore structure, which contain fluids such as gas and oil.[3]

The Powerwave tool generates a fluid displacement wave in the porous media akin to ripples from a stone thrown in a pond. These ripples generate high liquid accelerations in the pores facing liquids out or treatment fluids in.[10]

In the ten-plus years that the technology behind Powerwave has been developed by Wavefront Technologies and Environmental Services, it has evolved from a product that cost nearly $1 to make and had to be transported using two tractor-trailerss to one that can be shipped via courier.[3] The Powerwave tool now is only one meter high and eight centimetres in diameter. Wavefront Technology Solutions Inc. leases the product to oil companies and charges around $3,000 a month for a minimum 12-month period.[3]

Powerwave's ability to improve uniformity in oil wells has translated to higher production rates, extending the life of a field, and enhancing its value.[9] In Texas, one recent field trial raised production rates from eight wells by 26%. A similar project in Alberta, Canada initially raised output by 18%.[9]

In the environmental sector, Wavefront Technology Solutions Inc. has patented the Power Pulse Technology as "Primawave." Primawave is used largely in the United States. It is licensed to service providers to use the process in conjunction with established methods to treat and eliminate hazardous chemicals from contaminated groundwater.[11]

NASA once used Primawave to clean up soil that had been contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (dry-cleaning fluid). In the 1960s NASA used hazardous chemicals to remove the soot generated by rockets from the launch site.[3]

Years after using the chemical, the area was saturated with carcinogens. NASA knew that a mixture including iron fillings would decontaminate the soil. NASA then used the Primawave to get the fillings into the ground.[3]