China's first ultra-deepwater gas field, Shenhai-1, also known as Deep Sea No. 1, has achieved a significant milestone. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced that all three subsea production facilities for Phase II have been successfully installed.
Shenhai-1 is a cutting-edge deepwater subsea system designed to develop oil and gas reservoirs under extreme temperatures and pressures. The newly installed underwater manifold centers serve as critical \"oil and gas hubs,\" collecting and transporting the resources extracted from underwater wells.
Weighing over 540 tonnes in total, these manifold centers are the heaviest equipment used in underwater production facilities. The installation process was incredibly challenging, facing high hydrostatic pressure, unstable ocean currents, and dark seabed conditions.
Gao Xuanpeng, deputy general manager of the Phase II project, highlighted the complexities of installing the systems during the typhoon season. Despite the adverse weather and sea conditions, the team overcame technical hurdles such as wire rope torsion, setting a new record in depth for double-rope hoisting operations in China's marine engineering.
Located approximately 130 kilometers off the coast of Sanya City in Hainan Province, the Phase II Shenhai-1 project is situated in the western part of the northern South China Sea. This achievement marks a significant advancement in China's efforts to harness deep-sea energy resources, contributing to the nation's energy security and technological prowess.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
