The Chinese mainland has marked a significant milestone in its energy sector with the installation of its first intelligent offshore drilling platform, the \"Huizhou 26-6\", in the South China Sea. Announced by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on Friday, this state-of-the-art platform underscores China's commitment to advancing its offshore oil and gas extraction capabilities.
Located approximately 230 kilometers southeast of Shenzhen City in Guangdong Province, the Huizhou 26-6 is a massive structure weighing over 30,000 tonnes. Its deck area rivals the size of eight standard basketball courts, providing ample space for advanced drilling operations. Positioned atop oil and gas fields with an average water depth of 112 meters, the platform taps into proven geological reserves estimated at 50 million cubic meters of oil equivalent.
What sets the Huizhou 26-6 apart is its intelligent design. The platform houses three times the equipment of a traditional offshore drilling setup while occupying one-third less space. This innovative configuration enables a suite of powerful functions, including intelligent production, advanced drilling techniques, equipment health management, and enhanced security measures.
According to the project team, these advancements are expected to boost production efficiency by 20 percent and reduce operation and maintenance costs by 10 percent annually. By leveraging intelligent technologies, the platform not only optimizes resource extraction but also promotes more sustainable and cost-effective operations in the offshore energy sector.
The deployment of the Huizhou 26-6 reflects the broader trend of integrating smart technologies into traditional industries, paving the way for increased efficiency and sustainability. As the Chinese mainland continues to expand its offshore energy infrastructure, such innovations will play a crucial role in meeting the growing energy demands while minimizing environmental impact.
Reference(s):
China's first intelligent offshore drilling platform installed
cgtn.com
