A consortium of main vitality firms — together with TotalEnergies, Equinor, Aker BP, DeepOcean, Tenaris, and LS Cable & System — has launched an business collaboration to commercialize FlowHeat, a next-generation subsea flowline heating system designed to reinforce circulate assurance and decrease emissions in deepwater developments.
Andries Ferla, DeepOcean’s know-how director
The joint business undertaking (JIP), led by DeepOcean, introduces a patented heating resolution that enables energy cables to be put in after pipeline lay or built-in inside reeled pipelines. This method can cut back manufacturing and set up prices by as much as 35% and reduce carbon emissions by 30%, whereas enhancing operational effectivity and lengthening tieback distances.
FlowHeat: Simplifying subsea heating
Subsea tiebacks are important for connecting distant wells to current infrastructure, however long-distance flowlines in deep and chilly environments usually face challenges associated to wax and hydrate formation. The FlowHeat system addresses these points by simplifying set up, decreasing topside complexity, and enabling real-time monitoring through fiber-optic communication.
“The patented design represents a breakthrough in subsea pipeline heating, providing important value financial savings, improved effectivity, and environmental advantages,” stated Andries Ferla, DeepOcean’s Expertise Director. “FlowHeat supplies decreased topside weight, decrease energy consumption, and a repairable cable design that enhances long-term reliability.”
Able to working over distances as much as 30 km — and doubtlessly extending to 50 km — in water depths reaching 3,000 meters, FlowHeat is optimized for lengthy subsea tiebacks. The know-how’s flexibility additionally permits deployment utilizing smaller remotely operated autos (ROVs), additional enhancing logistics and decreasing vessel time.
International purposes and market potential
TotalEnergies’ Offshore Options and Expertise Analysis Supervisor, Florent Boemare, stated the undertaking’s subsequent part will embrace full-scale qualification testing. “We imagine this know-how can unlock longer tiebacks and entry to distant reserves,” he famous.
The FlowHeat idea has already accomplished profitable small-scale and thermal trials, demonstrating dependable cable set up, excessive electrical effectivity, and low energy demand.
Based on the consortium, international potential for electrical heating options is increasing quickly, with greater than 300 potential tasks recognized worldwide by 2030. The system’s value effectivity and environmental benefits are anticipated to generate robust demand in areas such because the Norwegian Continental Shelf, Brazil, america, and West Africa.
Business collaboration
Every accomplice brings specialised experience to the undertaking:
- DeepOcean – Undertaking proprietor and subsea companies supplier, overseeing engineering and set up innovation.
- Tenaris – Developer of superior thermal insulation coatings to enhance flowline effectivity and cut back upkeep.
- LS Cable & System – Provider of high-voltage and optical subsea cables for long-distance heating techniques.
- TotalEnergies, Equinor, Aker BP – Offering offshore area experience, infrastructure, and funding for subject deployment.
The undertaking is supported by the Analysis Council of Norway, which has granted funding to allow pilot testing below actual working situations.
