China has made a groundbreaking move in offshore energy development by installing Asia's first cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility, the Haikui No. 1, at the Liuhua oilfield in the South China Sea. This state-of-the-art platform, a significant milestone in deep-water oil and gas processing, showcases China's growing expertise in ultra-large offshore equipment.
Crafted by Chinese engineers, the Haikui No. 1 consists of nearly 600,000 components, standing approximately 30 stories tall and weighing around 37,000 tonnes. With a maximum displacement of 100,000 tonnes and an oil storage capacity of 60,000 tonnes, the FPSO is designed for continuous operation at sea for up to 15 years. It is capable of processing up to 5,600 tonnes of crude oil daily, marking a significant advancement in global offshore energy infrastructure.
This installation not only strengthens China's position in the global energy sector but also paves the way for future innovations in offshore oil and gas extraction. As the Haikui No. 1 begins its operations in the pristine waters of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, industry experts are keenly watching its performance and impact on both local and international energy markets.
Reference(s):
China installs Asia's first cylindrical offshore oil platform
cgtn.com
