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In 1998, while consulting on a project in the Elk Point area of Alberta, Canada, a problem was brought to the attention of Al Leduc, for which there was no apparent solution - How to clean out wells efficiently, cost effectively and with a greater adherence to safety?

Key areas that needed to be addressed:

1. The main goal was to create stable foam at surface as opposed to pumping slick water down hole. The reason for this was to be able to ensure an underbalanced situation and to ensure that no formation damage would occur.

2. Create a chemical composition which could be controlled “on the fly” so that half life, density and stability could be controlled. This means control over losses of water, chemical and formation overburdens. This loss of production has plagued the industry for years.

3. Create an environmentally advantageous solution. The demands for water and the demand for harsh chemicals needed to be reduced substantially.

4. Increase the standard of worker and well safety.

5. Increase and stabilize production.

6. Make the pilot cost efficient for successful development and acceptance into the oil and gas services industry.

As a result of these challenges that had plagued the industry for years, In December 2003 the idea of Stable Foam generation “at surface” was born. It was clear that the industry was hungry for a proven non-evasive, low-density circulating medium solution. So by April 2004, the Stable Foam idea was brought by Mr. Leduc to the fabrication and chemical shops for their expertise. In May 2004 the first prototype was born, affectionately named “Cinderella”. This unit was to be the first of its kind with its original design, adding helicopter portability for difficult to reach remote and under serviced areas. This original unit addressed the concern of being able to create stable foam “at surface” plus addressed the ability to control all aspects of the personality of the foam and mitigating pressures on the formation.

Since the initial unit was built, two more units were built, each time upgrading the components and increasing power. As noted, one of ADL’s greatest points of pride to date has been that this fleet of vehicles has successfully completed over 750 wells in all weather conditions, geographic locations and over a diverse range of depths, diameters and density’s of oil and gas. Successful well cleanouts have been done in shale gas, heavy oil, light oil, disposal wells and injection lines. This is a great accomplishment which has started to garner not just additional domestic attention, but also substantial international interest. As a result, the ADL system is currently being employed by some of the largest oil and gas companies in Canada. Therefore, the need for growth and the opportunity to attain a larger market share is imminent.

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