ORT Oil Recovery Tool
The Greenest Barrel
Hydroacoustics Inc. (HAI) has developed and successfully deployed a simple, rugged, well-designed system that uses very low frequency sound technology to recover additional oil from developed oilfields.
The system, known as the Oil Recovery Tool System (ORTS) employs very low frequency (VLF) sound waves of 100 hertz or less to stimulate or otherwise increase the flow of trapped oil. VLF stimulation enhances oil recovery by creating pulsed pressure waves that coalesce and mobilize oil droplets at a molecular level.
The ORTS is comprised of three major components:
- A down-hole tool (ORT) which is the acoustic generation unit. It is deployed into a wellbore across the productive interval to be stimulated. It utilizes high-pressure water to generate the pulsed pressure waves
- A Control, Diagnostic and Telemetry (CDT) manifold that operates and monitors the system. The CDT sends alerts and data to a remote receiving station via satellite uplink and/or the Internet
- An optional Topside Power Supply (TSPS) that allows the ORTS to operate on a stand-alone basis. The TSPS includes power generation, power distribution, a high-pressure pump, and water filtration system. The TSPS operates with on-site water storage to drive the ORT unit with high-pressure water
Also see our our article in the Oil & Gas Journal
Specification Title | Specification Description |
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Durable
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HAI's ORT is designed and constructed to be durable and operate continuously in harsh downhole oilfield environments
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Simple Design
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HAI's ORT has a simple and efficient design to create a continuous low-frequency acoustic pulse that mobilizes trapped oil
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Ease of Installation
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HAI's ORT can be installed on existing tubing in a well in less than 2 days
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Proven Technology
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HAI's ORT has demonstrated success in the field with increased production and reduced decline rate
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Technical Support
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There have been numerous papers published on the use of low-frequency sound to improve recovery. Other, less reliable systems have also demonstrated the efficacy of the technology
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Depth Range
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The current design of HAI's ORT limits its maximum setting depth to 7500' or less
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Gas Saturation Limit
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Compressible fluids such as natural gas will attenuate the acoustic pulse. HAI recommends not running the device in reservoirs with gas saturations exceeding 20% of a reservoir's bulk pore volume
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Reviews
The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) indicates the maturity level of novel technologies. Learn more about the TRL scale used by us.
[9/9]
Relative Business Impact

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