China has achieved a milestone in offshore energy infrastructure with the successful installation of the Bohai Sea's largest oil and gas platform, state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced Sunday. The central processing platform for the Kenli 10-2 oilfield's Phase I project broke regional records for both size and weight during its float-over installation.
Engineering Marvel in Action
Standing at 22.8 meters tall with a design weight exceeding 20,000 tonnes, the three-deck structure combines production facilities and worker accommodations in the southern Bohai Sea. Engineers deployed cutting-edge technology including BeiDou satellite positioning systems enhanced by AI algorithms, achieving millimeter-level precision during the complex installation process.
Strategic Energy Asset
Located 245 km from Tianjin in waters averaging 20 meters deep, the Kenli 10-2 field holds over 100 million tonnes of proven geological reserves – making it China's largest discovered offshore lithologic oilfield. The project's success strengthens China's position in advanced float-over techniques, with the country having now completed 50 such installations totaling 600,000 tonnes.
Technical Breakthroughs
The operation involved coordinated efforts from multiple tugboats and real-time data analysis, enabling single-attempt positioning despite challenging sea conditions. This achievement follows recent developments in China's offshore engineering capabilities, including record-breaking 32,000-tonne float-over capacity installations.
