It may also be beneficial in preventing the precipitation of salts on well equipment. Etrema Ultrasonic Tool PowerWave TM Etrema's patented PowerWave TM is a downhole tool designed to increase petroleum production through the introduction of acoustic energy. High water cut wells were the first to benefit from application of the PowerWave TM . The tool is designed to emit P-waves or pressure waves into a formation. Acoustic energy is developed through the expansion and contraction of a highly tuned acoustic element in the center of the tool, driving high pressure waves into the formation at 250-400 Hz.
Power is suppled from an electronics package located on the surface.
Acoustic energy, or sound energy, results from a change in pressure. The introduction of acoustic or vibratory energy into an oil-bearing formation effects oil recovery in several ways. Vibration reduces surface tension between the oil and the rock wall, freeing the oil to leave the pores and flow to the well bore. This same vibrational energy also results in the elimination of surface films that prevent oil from flowing out of the pores. As these mechanisms increase oil production, acoustic energy causes one final step, the agglomeration of oil droplets.