EMPOWERED HEAT
Heavy Oil
The RF XL 2.0 system design is simple, low cost and low energy intensity.
Acceleware’s RF XL 2.0 is a patented, all-electric, radio frequency (RF) thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology designed to increase production from heavy oil reservoirs dramatically. It is a first-of-kind technology for heavy oil which injects RF energy into a reservoir to heat water molecules in situ, thereby mobilizing oil without surface steam, fresh water, or solvents.
How Does RF XL 2.0 Work?
RF XL 2.0 uses RF energy to generate heat within the water molecules already existing in every heavy oil reservoir, in turn heating and mobilizing the heavy oil and allowing it to flow to the producing well.
Acceleware's RF XL 2.0  process involves the drilling of a multilateral heating well with two RF heating lines extending into the target zone and their connection to a surface power supply through a common vertical section.
RF XL 2.0  eliminates the need for water, water treatment equipment, and steam generators, and does not use costly chemicals or solvents.
Acceleware’s $30M RF XL Marwayne Pilot:
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The ability to heat reservoirs and maintain continuous power injection
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Advanced the technology readiness level from TRL-4 toward TRL-8
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RF XL 2.0 Could Enable More Barrels To Be Produced FASTER and at LOW OPERATING COST.
From Pilot to Commercial Deployment
RF XL 2.0’s trajectory to commercialization is advancing. Acceleware is planning a one-well pilot commencing in 2026, followed by a multi-well demonstration starting in 2027. Success in these demonstrations is expected to stimulate broad commercial deployment. This timeline means operators and governments could see economic returns from expanded production of "decarbonized oil" and cost savings within a few years—far sooner than many large-scale decarbonization alternatives.
Unlocking New Production
Much of Canada’s unconventional oil remains unrecovered because existing EOR methods cannot economically reach it.
This oil is trapped in:
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Post Cold Heavy Oil Production with Sand (CHOPS) reservoirs
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Reservoirs that are shallow or deep
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Small or thin reservoirs
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Have cracked or fractured rock
Acceleware's vision for RF XL 2.0 is too economically produce reservoirs that are bypassed by other EOR techniques. These reservoirs are too viscous for water or polymer floods, or too thin for SAGD, and have ben marginally produced with primary production or not at all. Being able to access these reservoirs where 90 to 100 percent of the oil is still in the ground equates to material economic and production opportunity improvements for heavy oil producers
Technology To Enable A 'Canadian Energy Superpower'
Royalty streams and resource rents can grow by unlocking previously uneconomic reservoirs. Producers see improved margins, while local service industries (drilling, instrumentation, power systems) see market growth. High-tech manufacturing, software, monitoring and control systems for RF delivery further diversify regional economies.
RF XL 2.0 technology is developed domestically so most of the value chain remains in Canada. Rather than importing specialty hardware or systems, Canada will retain the intellectual capital, jobs, and export potential. This reinforces energy self-reliance and reduces exposure to global supply chain disruptions.
As Canada seeks to compete in global energy markets, lower-cost oil that meets stricter emissions criteria becomes more attractive, giving our heavy oil assets a competitive edge.
Decarbonization: A Valuable Advantage
While RF XL 2.0’s strength certainly lies in unlocking barrels faster, cheaper and at scale, the technology also offers meaningful environmental benefits. RF XL 2.0 can cut emissions intensity, energy demand and could approach near-zero emissions when powered by clean electricity.
RF XL 2.0 also eliminates fresh-water use, requires no solvents, and reduces land footprint, making it more environmentally compelling.