Electric Downhole Steam Generation (EDSG) technology was developed by EDSG Systems LLC and refined at Fresno State with the help of two university entities, the College of Engineering and the International Center for Water Technology.

The College of Engineering has provided facilities on campus for the demonstration and advancement of this technology, setting up what officials call the EDSG Certification Center where the units can be operated (certified) in order to ensure a quality installation before they are deployed to the field.

In the next year, EDSG LLC and Fresno State will work together to refine final engineering and the manufacturing phase of the product so that it is ready for the heavy oil market by 2007, said John Donohue CEO of EDSG.

Electric Downhole Steam Generation uses an advanced process to create the steam necessary for production from a large portion of California's oil fields -- improving on the present oil industry use of centrally located surface boilers that, among other things, create air pollution.

EDSG produces steam from electricity, resulting in nearly 100 percent efficiency at each steam injection well. That eliminates steam energy losses from the existing steam pipes and enhances the accuracy of steam deployment to the heavy oil formation.

"This revolutionary technology provides the heavy oil industry the opportunity to continue providing oil to consumers worldwide, with no air emissions," Donohue said.

Dr. Andrew Hoff, interim dean of the College of Engineering, said the Electric Downhole Steam Generation system is another example of close collaboration between the engineering college and the creators of new technology that will benefit the region. In addition to providing the infrastructure to support the EDSG Certification Center, Fresno State's water center will work on methods of reducing water requirements for oil field steam production.