DeepOcean and its partners unveil a revolutionary technology for heating underwater pipelines

In a sector where innovation is key to optimizing offshore operations, DeepOcean emerges with its partners by launching a revolutionary technology for heating underwater pipelines. Facing major challenges related to fluid transport in deep waters, this new solution, promising a significant reduction in costs and carbon emissions, opens a new era for the offshore industry and marine energy. Centered on an innovative approach to phase separation of installation, this technology provides a sustainable technical response while enhancing the efficiency of underwater infrastructures and facilitating underwater maintenance.

Revolutionary FlowHeat Technology: A Major Advancement for Underwater Heating of Submarine Pipelines

The core of this innovation lies in the FlowHeat system, a heating technology dedicated to submarine pipelines developed by DeepOcean in partnership with major industry players such as TotalEnergies, Equinor, Aker BP, Tenaris, and LS Cable & System. This system aims to significantly improve installation methods and the operation of underwater pipelines in harsh environments.

The key principle of FlowHeat consists of separating the installation of the pipeline from that of the heating system. This innovative approach reduces manufacturing and installation costs by up to 35%, while decreasing carbon emissions by about 30%. These gains are essential in a context where energy performance and cost control become critical for the viability of offshore projects.

Moreover, FlowHeat is specifically designed to address the challenges posed by deeply submerged submarines, where the formation of wax and hydrates over long distances poses significant risks to fluidity and the safety of facilities. This technology thus ensures continuity of operations in the harshest conditions.

• Separation of installation phases allowing for greater flexibility.
• Installation of cables after pipeline laying, even over long distances.
• Use of small remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to reduce the carbon footprint.
• Operational capability at depths over 3,000 meters.
• Possible range extension from 30 to 50 km.

With these technical advantages, FlowHeat establishes itself as a future solution for the offshore industry, which seeks to optimize each of its steps while respecting environmental and sustainability imperatives.

Characteristics	Description	Impact
Cost Reduction	Up to 35% thanks to the breakdown of installation phases	Decrease in overall expenses on offshore projects
Carbon Emission Reduction	30% less through the use of small ROVs and logistical optimization	Better environmental footprint
Operational Depth	Up to 3,000 meters	Adaptability to extreme seabed conditions
Heating Distance	30 to 50 km thanks to flexible cable installation	Capability to cover extensive offshore fields

The Challenges of Underwater Maintenance and Infrastructure in the Offshore Industry

Ensuring the longevity and safety of underwater pipelines is a tremendous technical challenge in the offshore industry. Operations in underwater environments require advanced expertise for underwater maintenance.

Innovations like FlowHeat provide better risk management related to corrosion, the formation of undesirable products like wax and hydrates, as well as mechanical constraints. The fact that this technology allows for staggered installation of heating cables greatly improves reactivity in case of intervention.

In practice, this means:

• Reduction of complex and costly interventions through increased modularity.
• Facilitated access capacity through the use of small ROVs for precise checks and maintenance.
• Simplified repair of heating cables avoiding complete replacement in case of failure.
• Real-time monitoring of installations thanks to the integration of optical fibers in cables.
• Optimization of sea trips and reduction of the need for specialized vessels.

These assets contribute to better cost control over the long term and enhance the reliability of installations, which are essential for ongoing production and operator safety.

Maintenance Criterion	Proposed Solution	Advantages for the Industry
Access to Pipelines	Use of small-sized ROVs	Quick and targeted interventions
Repairability of Heating Cables	Modular and repairable design	Reduction of complete replacements
Monitoring	Integrated sensors and fiber optics	Real-time tracking and prevention of failures
Logistics	Fewer vessels and heavy equipment	Decrease in operational costs

Impact of FlowHeat on the Optimization of Marine Energy and the Global Offshore Industry

In a context of energy transition, the offshore industry must constantly reinvent its solutions for more sustainable exploitation. The FlowHeat technology perfectly fits within this dynamic by proposing a low-energy consumption method for underwater heating.

Thanks to its patented design, FlowHeat minimizes electrical demand on topside installations while ensuring significant energy efficiency over long underwater distances.

The savings made on heating pipelines not only reduce the overall carbon footprint of operations but also pave the way for new possibilities for more complex offshore exploitation, such as extended tiebacks to distant reserves.

• Decrease in topside electrical consumption increasing overall performance.
• Reduction of needs for heavy equipment facilitating on-site deployment.
• Possibility to reach distant reserves thanks to increased heating capacities.
• Support for the development of high value-added marine energy projects.
• Compliance with global environmental objectives and strict regulations.

Aspect	FlowHeat Benefit	Consequence
Energy Consumed	Significant reduction due to design efficiency	Lower costs and pollution
Operational Duration	Access to more remote fields	Increase in exploitable reserves
Operational Capability	Less heavy equipment and more flexibility	Facilitation of interventions

Collaboration and Expertise: A Strategic Partnership in Service of Underwater Innovation

The success of FlowHeat perfectly illustrates the strength of a partnership bringing together DeepOcean and several leaders in the energy and industrial sectors. By combining complementary skills, these players create a beneficial synergy that accelerates the development and implementation of technological innovations.

DeepOcean acts as the project leader, benefiting from Tenaris’s expertise in pipeline materials, from LS Cable & System for cable solutions, and from the technical vision and field feedback from operators TotalEnergies, Equinor, and Aker BP. This is a model of collaboration that advances the entire offshore industry towards sustainable and high-performance practices.

• Sharing of Technical Expertise consolidating the robustness of the technology.
• Pooling of Financial and Human Resources allowing for pilot testing and field validations.
• Collaborative Approach to Refine Installation and Maintenance Phases.
• Commitment to Respect Key Environmental Standards in this industry.
• Opening up to International Markets such as Norway, Brazil, the United States, and Africa.

Partner	Main Role	Contribution
DeepOcean	Project Leader and Systems Integration	Overall coordination and FlowHeat design
TotalEnergies	Major Operator	Testing in real conditions and operational feedback
Equinor	Offshore Operator	Field expertise and technical validation
Aker BP	Energy Operator	Experience feedback and pilot tests
Tenaris	Material Supplier	Manufacturing of suitable pipeline sections
LS Cable & System	Heating Cable Specialist	Design of cables and monitoring systems

This exemplary cooperation, supported by the Research Council of Norway, has enabled the launch of a pilot test to validate the promises of the technology in real conditions, representing a major advancement for the entire global market of underwater heating solutions.

Future Perspectives for Underwater Heating and Marine Energy with DeepOcean

The FlowHeat technology is on a trajectory that exceeds current needs. As offshore markets trend towards deeper and more complex operations, this innovation paves the way for a new generation of intelligent underwater infrastructures.

Potential applications are multiplying, with projects in strategic areas such as Norway, Brazil, the United States, and several regions in Africa, where the demand for both economic and ecological solutions is particularly strong.

Some key orientations:

• Extension of connection distances to access remote deposits without the need for additional costly installations.
• Increased integration of connectivity and real-time monitoring to anticipate and reduce incidents.
• Continuous reduction of energy consumption through improved materials and heating techniques.
• Possible synergies with other marine energy technologies to maximize the positive environmental impact.
• Geographical expansion into new emerging offshore markets.

DeepOcean’s recent acquisition of Shelf Subsea in Australia reflects this overall strategy of expansion and diversification of underwater service offerings.

Axis	Objective	Expected Impact
Technology	Optimize performance and reduce environmental impact	Increase in lifetime and reduction of energy consumption
Market	Increase international presence	Opening up to high-growth markets
Services	Diversify offerings and enhance predictive maintenance	Reduction of downtime and better customer responsiveness

The challenge is set for the entire industry, as these technologies become central to offshore projects and contribute to the development of cleaner and more efficient marine energy worldwide.

Discover how DeepOcean is revolutionizing offshore inspections
Underwater technologies in the service of advanced marine exploration
Understanding the technical challenges of offshore energy
FlowHeat: the technology that transforms heating of submarine pipelines
The innovation of underwater cables for sustainable electrification