Saipem has signed an agreement to lead the industrialization and commercialization of SPRINGS, a subsea water treatment technology designed for deep water application, developed in collaboration with oil & gas company Total and water treatment specialist company Veolia.

SPRINGS (Subsea PRocess and INjection Gear for Seawater) is a nanofiltration-based sulphate removal unit designed for subsea use in deep water environments.

Saipem has entered into an agreement with partners Total and Veolia for the co-ownership and exclusive commercialization of the technology. A deep-sea test was completed last year to prove the validity of the process in a relevant environment offshore West Africa.

The company markets SPRINGS as a cost effective alternative to conventional topsides water treatment and injection units, that moves the sulphate removal process subsea.

Saipem’s chief executive officer, Stefano Cao, commented: “The signing of the agreement is in line with Saipem’s commitment to develop innovative technologies and deploy its capabilities in the subsea environment with a view to reducing Clients’ overall costs and enabling new business opportunities.”