Wärtsilä Direct Electric Heating
DEH is a cost efficient and environmentally sustainable flow assurance method that replaces the use of chemicals.
The presence of wax and hydrates in subsea flow lines is a major concern in the offshore industry. Wärtsilä DEH is based on using the thermally insulated flow line as part of the electric circuit, and allowing the electrical losses to heat the contents of the pipe.
Direct Electric Heating is today a mature technology that has been used for 14–15 years in Norwegian and West African installations. Wärtsilä has participated in the development of Wärtsilä DEH since the nineties, and today undertakes the design and supply of the complete topside Wärtsilä Direct Electric Heating package.
Wärtsilä Direct Electric Heating has been used for flow lines of up to 42 km, and with a power requirement of up to 12 MW.