OceanWell and Eau d’Azur have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deploy subsea water farm technology in France. Testing of the first deployment will begin in 2026. The project will evaluate OceanWell’s deep-sea freshwater harvesting technology operating at depths exceeding 400 meters (1,300 feet). The technology uses natural ocean pressure to drive reverse osmosis without surface pumping. OceanWell’s modular subsea pods are designed to harvest up to 4,000m3 of fresh water per day. The approach targets lower energy demand than conventional desalination and reduced concentrated brine discharge, limiting potential marine ecosystem impact.
Robert Bergstrom, CEO of OceanWell said: “Securing our water future is a global challenge, and it demands solutions that work with nature rather than against it. From California to the Côte d’Azur, our subsea water farms are designed to provide a reliable climate-resilient supply without the environmental cost of traditional desalination. This partnership marks another step toward our goal of delivering sustainable water at scale to coastal communities worldwide.”
Arnaud Rostan, interim director general at Eau d’Azur commented: “This agreement will give us the opportunity to develop new approaches to diversify and secure the territory’s water supply, major issues in the face of the growing challenges of climate change.”
Hervé Laubertie, CEO of Team Nice Côte d’Azur added: “OceanWell’s establishment in our territory illustrates the tremendous potential of Nice Côte d’Azur in the Blue Economy. By fostering collaborations with key local players such as Régie Eau d’Azur, we can both stimulate economic growth and contribute to protecting our oceans – a priority for our region and for the planet.”
OceanWell’s expansion into France followed an economic mission to California in June 2024, where Team Nice Côte d’Azur identified potential for the company’s subsea water technology. Backed by Team Nice Côte d’Azur and partners, OceanWell chose Nice for its maritime technology ecosystem and collaboration with Régie Eau d’Azur (REA). The company has since established its European headquarters, OceanWell France SAS, in Nice. The operation received funding support from the Business landing program of Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur.
OceanWell’s collaboration with Eau d’Azur marks its expansion outside North America. The move builds on parallel work in Santa Monica Bay, where the company is developing Water Farm 1 with seven water agencies to supplement constrained water supplies.
A Mediterranean demonstration site will test subsea freshwater production alongside marine protection measures. The deployment is scheduled to begin in 2026 and run for about 12 months. The program will assess environmental impact, monitor marine ecosystems, and conduct site-specific engineering work to inform potential commercial deployment between 2028 and 2030.
Source: OceanWell
About OceanWell
OceanWell develops offshore desalination systems that use ocean pressure to convert seawater into fresh water. The company focuses on subsea reverse osmosis technology designed for long-term water production. Its systems target municipal, industrial, and agricultural users facing water scarcity and supply constraints. OceanWell positions its technology for coastal regions and offshore environments where conventional desalination faces land, energy, or environmental limits. Founded in 2019, OceanWell operates as a water technology company focused on alternative freshwater sources. The company works with public water agencies, utilities, and research organizations on pilot projects and system validation. Its approach places desalination infrastructure on the seafloor, closer to intake sources, to support stable operations. The company supports project planning, engineering integration, and deployment activities. OceanWell is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
About Eau d’Azur
Eau d’Azur operates public water collection, treatment, and distribution services for municipalities in the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area. The organization provides potable water supply, wastewater treatment, and network management for residential, commercial, and public-sector users. Its services support local governments responsible for water infrastructure planning, operation, and maintenance. Eau d’Azur manages treatment plants, pumping stations, and distribution networks serving multiple communes across southeastern France. Founded in 2014, the entity functions as a public industrial and commercial utility under French law. It works with regional authorities to maintain service continuity and comply with water quality regulations. The organization also carries out infrastructure upgrades and monitoring programs to support long-term system performance. Eau d’Azur is headquartered in Nice, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France.