BNN - Nov 16, 2017
Acceleware, a Calgary-based firm ,has developed a bitumen and heavy oil recovery technology. The process results in production levels comparable to SAGD, while using less than half the energy. We hear more from Acceleware CEO Geoff Clark.
Acceleware has completed robust shop and lab testing in collaboration with 3rd party industry resources like Noetic, AGAT, and Perm Inc. on each unique surface and subsurface component, along with material compatibility tests (thermal, electrical, mechanical), and material strength tests (destructive testing). High voltage, high current and high-pressure testing assemblies have been custom-built to mimic in-situ conditions and to test the downhole electrical components under a variety of mechanical stresses corresponding to deployment and operational conditions. Several EM core flooding using oil sands samples have also been completed.
In the Summer of 2019, GE Research completed laboratory testing of Acceleware’s Clean Tech Inverter (CTI), with up to 70kW real power and 200kW reactive power. In the Fall of 2019, Acceleware tested high power dummy loads of 200kW on two RF XL Inverter modules. In Winter of 2019, Acceleware completed a 1/20 scale ditch test where an RF XL transmission line was tested up to 150kW using one CTI module.
In the summer of 2020, Acceleware successfully completed a 1/4 scale ditch test where an RF XL transmission line delivered 500kW of RF energy into the ditch. The coaxial lines were also pressurized to 4 bars by CO2 gas to required voltage, (higher power density than expected in Marwayne). The symmetry of voltage and currents across two coaxial lines during two modes of operation were monitored, along with the temperature response of all components.
Acceleware submitted a Directive 23 Experimental Scheme Application to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) in July 2020 and received approval in October 2020. Because Marwayne is located within a designated oil sands area, an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) application was also required, and was subsequently submitted in November 2020, with approval received from the AER in December 2020. Pre-site disturbance assessments and comprehensive wildlife sweeps were conducted in support of the EPEA application. Notice of Adequacy from the Indigenous Relations Aboriginal Consultation Office was received in November 2020, and all other required approvals are in hand.
Acceleware has >90% of long lead tangible materials in hand and has mitigated unforeseen delays on international supply from overseas. Manufacturing & machining required for threading tubulars and other components of the downhole RF XL assembly is underway. Rental versus purchase options to reduce capital expense were evaluated, along with investigating alternative sources of equipment i.e. used or spare inventory held by industry partners). We have secured our drilling rig and all other oilfield services, materials, and equipment required to execute the Marwayne Pilot, i.e. drilling fluid, cementing, drill bits, directional drilling, instrumentation, wellhead, artificial lift, variable flow drive etc.).
Scovan Engineering has completed the facility surface design with Issued For Construction (IFC) drawings and 3D modelling. Scovan’s sister company, Gemini, is now fabricating and sourcing the surface facility components (i.e. tanks, treater, combustor, flow-lines, MCC, etc.). Ultimately, Scovan’s second sister company, Hive Innovations, will perform site construction and commissioning of the surface facility.
Tristar Resource Management has finalized the subsurface well design in collaboration with key service providers (Stream-Flo, CES, Precise instrumentation, Tenaris etc.). Torque and drag modelling and friction testing has been completed by both Weatherford and Halliburton to monitor the performance, running RF XL subsurface equipment in various well configurations. The drilling and completion programs are complete and pre-execution meetings with all oilfield service providers will be conducted in the form or drilling while on paper (DWOP) and completion while on paper (CWOP) exercises.
Local civil construction manager Morrey Heathcote has been engaged to build the civil lease for the Marwayne Pilot Project.
The site is currently cleared and graded for both drilling and completion operations. When drilling and completions operations have been successfully completed, Morrey will head back to site to prepare the lease for facility site construction.
Acceleware kicked off the drilling and completions program of the commercial-scale RF XL pilot project at Marwayne, Alberta in August 2021. Akita Drilling Ltd.’s Rig 29 moved onto the Marwayne site August 9, 2021.
The RF XL producer well was spudded on August 12, 2021, followed by the heating well on August 13, 2021. Minor supply-chain delays were experienced in September 2021, all of which were subsequently resolved. Required materials have since been received and QA/QC'd (quality assurance and quality control) and are ready for deployment.
Acceleware secured Akita Drilling Rig 34 to drill the heating laterals - the rig moved onto the Marwayne site on November 1, 2021, and resumed drilling on November 6, 2021. Facility installation will commence immediately upon drilling completions, and RF XL heating is slated to start shortly after final commissioning.
While the initial heating phase is planned for approximately six months, this period may be extended to allow Acceleware to capture additional information on the efficiency and operation of the technology.
Facilities installation has commenced, and will involve installation of power lines, move in of the electrical house, and production piping.
RF XL heating will start shortly after installation of the remaining electrical and monitoring equipment in the heating well, and final commissioning. While the initial heating phase is planned for approximately six months, this period may be extended to allow Acceleware to capture additional information on the efficiency and operation of the technology.
Facilities installation commenced Dec 2021 and was completed Feb 2022.
Electrical and monitoring equipment, final facility commissioning, and energization of the site was completed in January and February 2022.
Low- and high-voltage testing of the Clean Tech Inverter, and various control systems was also completed. All remaining permits were secured.
UPDATE April 28, 2022: Acceleware has successfully injected power into the transmission lines for thirty consecutive days, a significant milestone. The Company is also very pleased to announce that the Pilot commenced producing oil on April 6, 2022, at rates consistent with the gradual ramp up of heating.
Acceleware's RF XL initial heating phase has commenced at Marwayne. The achievement represents a landmark milestone in the execution of the pilot.
A power ramp-up phase has been designed for the initial RF XL heating period, where Acceleware plans to gradually increase power, pause heating intermittently to evaluate performance, and test the RF XL system as required.
