Subsea 7 has been granted a patent for a modular subsea fluid storage unit with a variable-volume inner tank and floodable gap for enhanced thermal insulation and leak containment. The design allows for vertical expansion while maintaining horizontal width, providing a versatile and efficient storage solution for subsea applications. GlobalData’s report on Subsea 7 gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Subsea 7, Ship loading/unloading cableways was a key innovation area identified from patents. Subsea 7's grant share as of May 2024 was 53%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Modular subsea fluid storage unit with variable volume

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Subsea 7 SA

A subsea fluid storage unit has been granted a patent (Publication Number: US11987443B2) with a unique design that includes a variable volume inner tank with a rigid top panel and an extensible peripheral wall. The unit features a floodable gap surrounding the tank, closed off by a side wall that extends beneath the inner tank, providing a floodable enclosure. The design allows for vertical adjustment of the tank's height while maintaining a consistent width, supported by a support flange and secured with ROV-accessible clamps or locking pins.

Additionally, the unit includes features such as a sliding clearance between the bottom plate and the side wall, a heating system for fluid contents, thermal insulation on the side wall, and subsea releasable fastenings for tension support. The design also incorporates a gas trap chamber for trapping rising gas from the fluid in the inner tank. Furthermore, the patent covers the coupling of multiple units for fluid communication between inner tanks, arranged in an elongate towable array. These innovative features make the subsea fluid storage unit a versatile and efficient solution for subsea fluid storage applications, offering flexibility, thermal efficiency, and ease of maintenance in challenging underwater environments.

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GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.