ClearWELL enters European geothermal market as energy industry demand for its scale control technology intensifies.

Aberdeen-based ClearWELL has stepped into the geothermal energy market for the first time, to answer a growing cross-sector demand for its unique, chemical-free, electromagnetic scale control technology.

Having built a successful oil and gas business, ClearWELL is experiencing increased interest from the geothermal sector, leading the company to undertake its first project of this type. In February, ClearWELL’s scale control technology was installed for a major utility company at a geothermal power station in Germany. The geothermal well at this facility had been severely affected by calcium carbonate scaling on the well casing, the electric submersible pump, the surface heat exchangers and filtering systems, resulting in pump failures and reduced efficiency. ClearWELL’s technology will protect this system from further scale buildup and its performance will be remotely monitored by satellite link.

Chief executive officer at ClearWELL, Keith Coutts (pictured above), said: 
“Entering the renewable energy market presents an exciting opportunity for business growth, with an estimated 400 suitable geothermal power and heat facilities that we could be supporting in Europe alone. Applying our skills and technology here will improve geothermal efficiency for asset owners, but also provide our business with a balanced energy portfolio and opportunity to improve our carbon offset. The European renewables market is an ideal springboard in our global growth ambition.

“ClearWELL technology is eminently suited to geothermal applications because variations in temperature, pressure, flow and liquid states are common and act as key contributing factors in the formation of scale. The use of chemical treatments is often prohibited in this sector, so with its environmentally friendly credentials, ClearWELL is a valuable flow assurance solution.”

To date the company has installed over 250 of its non-invasive, chemical-free, scale control systems to support oil and gas production in Europe, Africa, North and South America, India, Asia and Australasia.

ClearWELL’s scale-control technology is installed at a geothermal power station in Germany. 

The unique technology uses a low frequency electromagnetic signal to inhibit the formation of mineral scale within wet systems such as wells, pipelines, surface processing facilities and storage tanks. It also protects expensive internal components from failure, such as pumps and valves. This green technology can replace traditional approaches such as continuous injection of bulk chemical inhibitors, acid washes and mechanical milling intervention, delivering impressive flow assurance to the end of a well’s natural life.

Part of the FrontRow Energy Technology Group since 2017, ClearWELL has built a highly successful global oil and gas business, despite early market challenges of lower oil prices and the recent global pandemic. Over the last 18 months the company has seen a surge in customer demand and to accommodate its growing business ClearWELL has invested in larger Aberdeen premises quadrupling its floorspace, invested in ongoing R&D, added manufacturing and testing facilities and increased its Aberdeen employee headcount by more than 300%.

As part of its transition, the company has rebranded from ClearWELL Oilfield Solutions to ClearWELL Energy to better reflect its market position and ambitious growth strategy.

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