Subsea Buoyancy

General

By using a material that has a lower specific own weight than the liquid in which it is lowered, the material will float and give a force upward. This principle is extensively used in maritime industry, and we use it to regulate the weight of equipment with subsea buoyancy materials when immersed in the sea. Remotely Operated Vehicles ( called ROV ) will normally have a ROV Buoyancy to balance the weight. Subsea buoyancy will follows the principle in Archimedes law, and therefore it is important to keep the weight as low as possible for the subsea buoyancy materials.

ROV Buoyancy and ROV Tooling

As example of application Subsea buoyancy is used as ROV Buoyancy, ROV Tooling Buoyancy, skid systems for ROV and for equipment to be permanent submerged for shorter or longer time periods.

How

We make subsea buoyancy in all shapes after drawings and have good knowledge and experience for how raw materials shall be used in order to make reliable products. We have the knowledge and understand how to make it right for reaching the required depth without material destruction, and we have extensive experience for what will work together with the subsea buoyancy products.

Subsea buoyancy calculations and design.

Specific buoyancy weight, water depth and achieved buoyancy force for the subsea buoyancy material depends on each other. The deeper you will reach, the more heavy the buoyancy material will be, and the less buoyancy force will be applied. There will be several materials which can withstand the same depth, but with different specific own weight. We know the best materials, which also can be used advantageously in shallow water due to durability and weight properties. We have all types of subsea buoyancy that can withstand all depths. For more information see here.

Do not hesitate to contact us  if you need a design proposal or buoyancy calculation.

Surface treatment

Subsea buoyancy can stay without surface treatment without water ingress above its limits. Normally it will be advantages by applying an outer surface since it will look better and give easier maintenance properties. We use a wear resistant protection that is compatible with the subsea buoyancy, and is delivered in most colors. For a more wear resistant surface, we will reinforce the surface with PURsub®. This is a PU skin that will cover the buoyancy products with a minimum 2mm thickness and provides a strong and robust surface. Read more about PURsub® here. We also supply fiberglass surface or a combination from fiberglass and PURsub®.

Repair and reuse

Subsea buoyancy materials can be damaged during operation and handling. It is a relative expensive material but we can offer a repair of the subsea buoyancy module instead of a replacement. We have the right competence to repair it to original form and function. Reuse of materials by using old subsea buoyancy materials in new shapes can also be possible.

Contact us for more information