This project brings together industry and leading academic institutions to develop new technology within flow assurance – a field focused on ensuring the safe and efficient transport of oil and gas through pipelines. One of the most common challenges in oil production is wax deposition, where solid wax forms on the inner walls of pipelines and restricts flow.
The project has developed a new generation of environmentally friendly wax inhibitors – chemical additives that prevent wax buildup and improve flow. Through close collaboration with industrial partners, the project team has gained a deeper understanding of market needs and how to adapt the technology to real operational conditions. At the same time, the industrial partners have strengthened their competence to manage wax-related challenges more effectively.
The project has also contributed to the creation of new intellectual property (IP) for Norway, supporting technological innovation and creating long-term value for society.
During the qualification phase, the team discovered that the wax inhibitor also functions as a powerful pour point depressant, making crude oil easier to pump at low temperatures. This finding opens new commercialization opportunities and shows that the technology has broader potential than initially expected.
The next phase will focus on building strategic alliances with operators and service companies in regions where waxy crude oils are more common—such as South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The goal is to validate the technology under real conditions and to establish a sustainable commercialization pathway that strengthens Norway’s position as an innovator in flow assurance technology.
This project brings together industry and leading academic institutions to develop new technology in the field of flow assurance. By working closely with our industrial partners, we aim to better understand the need for advanced wax management additives and to adapt our technology to real market demands. The industrial partners will gain valuable expertise to address the challenge of wax buildup in pipelines. Moreover, the project contributes to the creation of new intellectual property (IP) for Norway, supporting the growth of local technology and generating value for Norwegian society.
By improving and optimizing our new additives, we aim to set a higher standard for wax management in the oil industry. The project has also helped strengthen one of our key hypotheses regarding startup versus licensing strategies. The industrial partnerships established are highly valuable, as they can accelerate the commercialization of this and related technologies, fostering long-term collaboration and continued innovation.
Through the qualification project, we discovered that our wax inhibitor also acts as a powerful pour point depressant, opening new opportunities for commercialization. The next phase will focus on building strategic alliances with partners who can benefit from our newly developed molecules.
