A well system that includes a wellbore extending from a surface location and through one or more hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formations, the wellbore containing a downhole fluid, an artificial lift system arranged within the wellbore and in fluid communication with the downhole fluid, the artificial lift system including a cavitation apparatus having one or more blades. The cavitation apparatus is configured to mechanically rotate the one or more blades through the downhole fluid and thereby cause cavitation in the downhole fluid.