Radio retrieves oil from rocks

and

have developed new technology that could economically unlock the estimated two trillion barrels of oil locked in shale reserves in the US.

Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business' radio frequency (RF) energy combined with critical fluid (CF) technology shows promise for efficiently extracting oil from shale.

Lee Silvestre, director of Mission Innovation at Raytheon IDS, said, "What makes this effort a breakthrough is that similar RF technology that we have been applying in core defence products - radars for tracking and guidance systems - has demonstrated applications in the energy crisis."

Historically, the lack of an economical and environmentally friendly way for extracting oil from shale has kept it from being a significant energy source. Raytheon IDS and its partner, CF Technologies have struck upon a solution that could solve both the economic and environmental roadblocks.

"We have partnered with CF Technologies, a company expert in critical fluids processes," said Silvestre. "We are now talking with energy companies to license our unique, patent pending technological approach."