Seabox will lead a joint industry project (JIP) with Az ACG Ltd., the state oil company of the Azerbaijan Republic; Suncor; SIPCO; and two oil majors, with the support of the Research Council of Norway. The JIP will bring advanced subsea water treatment closer to full-scale field development, according to a press release.

Injection of sterile and ion-optimized water, such as reduction of sulphate and salinity, into reservoirs has received much attention in the oil and gas industry due to the expected positive effects for oil production. Removal of sulphate ions from the injected water also has positive effects on applications with serious scaling and hydrogen sulfide challenges. However, the downside of this advanced water treatment method is that it has traditionally been very costly and has required a large treatment facility on topsides.

The results from Seabox’s previous test demonstrated that the combination of Seabox’s Subsea Water Intake and Treatment (SWIT) technology and subsea membranes could become a technological game-changer for production of low salinity and sulphate free water for injection purposes. Based on these results and the feedback from the industry, Seabox and several oil majors have started an extensive technology qualification process.

The new JIP will see Seabox complete a conceptual design of a complete subsea SWIT and membranes plant capable of producing any quality water from surrounding seawater on the seabed. A key objective is to secure maximum longevity for important components in order to prolong intervention intervals.

As part of the JIP, Seabox also will identify technology components available in the market and suitable for use in the SWIT plant. In addition to this, Seabox will conduct a gap analysis to identify and close the technology gaps on components that are not already tested and qualified to international industry standards.

It is expected to finalize the JIP in second-half 2015.