How is OceanWell different from traditional desalination?
Unlike conventional plants, which extract, pressurize, and heavily process seawater on land—often harming marine life and discharging toxic brine—OceanWell uses natural ocean pressure at depth to drive reverse osmosis. It does not require chemical treatment, does not harm marine organisms, and discharges water with salinity levels only 5% above ambient, well within environmental guidelines.
Does OceanWell create brine or pollute the ocean?
No. OceanWell does not produce concentrated brine. Its discharge matches near-natural salinity levels, disperses gently in ocean currents, and complies with California’s environmental limits. The system is designed to avoid ecological disruption altogether.
How does OceanWell affect marine life?
OceanWell protects marine life by avoiding chemicals and operating in low-biodiversity deep-sea zones. Its LifeSafe™ circulation system allows microscopic life to pass unharmed and even supports ocean biodiversity by creating nutrient-rich habitats around the infrastructure.
Will OceanWell help address climate and water crises?
Yes. By tapping into the ocean’s stable deep-water supply and using far less energy than land-based systems, OceanWell helps rebalance the planet’s disrupted water cycle. It offers a resilient, scalable solution in an increasingly arid world.
Is the water from OceanWell more expensive?
No. In coastal areas with access to deep water, OceanWell can deliver fresh water at a lower cost than many existing sources—including desalination, water imports, and stormwater capture—thanks to lower energy use and potential synergies with offshore renewables and cooling applications.
Why hasn’t this been done before?
The concept of subsea reverse osmosis isn’t new, but it wasn’t technically viable until recent advances in offshore energy infrastructure. OceanWell is the first to combine these innovations into a scalable, cost-effective, and ecologically sound solution.
How does OceanWell use energy differently?
By using the ocean’s natural pressure to drive reverse osmosis, OceanWell reduces energy use by up to 40% compared to the best onshore systems. It only pressurizes the already-extracted freshwater for delivery, which cuts operating costs and emissions.
Still curious?
We’re just getting started. If you have more questions or want to dive deeper into our technology, reach out—we’d love to hear from you.
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