Cirrus International Limited

The deposition of silt, minerals and bacteria gradually blocks both screened and unscreened wells. This results in lower production (specific capacity) and increased pumping costs due to wasted energy and maintenance costs. As a result, water authorities have to either rehabilitate the well or drill replacements.

A variety of methods have existed for many years to help rejuvenate wells. The success of these methods has been variable and the time taken to implement them is frequently extensive. For example, a rotating brush, a string of explosive charges, or high-pressure jets may be utilised inside the well. Alternatively, chemicals can be used to react with encrustation, however, this method involves an element of environmental risk and renders the well unusable for a period of time.

The new technique (AirBurst®) uses air as the “explosive” in the form of an exploding bubble repeatedly fired along the well screen or producing area.
The AirBurst® tool configuration and operation are tailored to the well dimensions and construction. This is achieved by a choice of tool sizes and variable control pressures up to 3000 psi.
The tool creates an air bubble which instantaneously displaces the water around the tool thus generating a high pressure wave (the displaced water) and creates a jetting action that extends far into the geological formation and when the bubble collapses, a negative pressure is created pulling the debris into the well.

Initially developed in the US, AirBurst® is now available worldwide through Cirrus International and Frazier Industries. Patents have been granted in the EU, Australia and USA and other worldwide Patents are currently under application.

AirBurst® offers water authorities, drillers and land owners the opportunity to rehabilitate wells far more quickly and effectively than was previously the case with other methods. It avoids environmental contamination, eliminates damage to the well, and avoids the cost of drilling new wells.