China has achieved a significant milestone in its maritime and oil production capabilities with the successful loading of the country’s first cylindrical floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility, the \"Haikui No.1.\" The impressive structure was secured onto the semi-submersible vessel \"Xinguanghuahao\" in Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, on Sunday.
The self-developed Haikui No.1 is now poised for its journey to the Liuhua oilfield in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, marking a pivotal advancement in China’s oil extraction and storage infrastructure. The loading process was meticulously coordinated, involving four mooring ropes and four tugs to ensure the facility’s smooth placement at the designated sea surface location.
Departing the port around 5:00 AM, the Haikui No.1 was mounted onto the Xinguanghuahao by 3:00 PM. During this operation, the vessel's deck was adjusted to 25 meters below sea level, allowing the FPSO to be steadily lifted above the water’s surface. The entire loading procedure took just over three hours, maintaining an allowable error margin of no more than 50 millimeters to ensure precise positioning.
Once fully deployed, the Xinguanghuahao will have the Haikui No.1 welded onto its deck, ensuring the facility remains stable even in strong winds and rough seas during the maritime transportation phase. This accomplishment not only highlights China’s advancements in marine engineering but also underscores its commitment to enhancing oil production capabilities through innovative technologies.
Reference(s):
China's cylindrical FPSO facility loaded onto carrier for installation
cgtn.com
