China has successfully installed the first cylindrical floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility in Asia, named “Haikui No. 1”, marking a significant milestone in offshore engineering. The announcement was made on Monday by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the country’s largest offshore oil and gas producer.
“Haikui No. 1” is a self-developed cylindrical FPSO facility located in the Liuhua Oilfield in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, approximately 240 kilometers southeast of Shenzhen City. The facility operates at a depth of over 320 meters and is designed for a 30-year service life, capable of continuous operation at sea for up to 15 years without docking.
Weighing 37,000 tonnes and standing as tall as a 30-story building, the FPSO integrates production, storage, and offloading functions for crude oil. Its main deck covers an area equivalent to 13 standard basketball courts, and it boasts a maximum oil storage capacity of 60,000 tonnes. The facility comprises nearly 600,000 components, showcasing China’s advanced capabilities in offshore technology.
Wang Huoping, deputy general manager of the Liuhua Oilfield development project at CNOOC’s Shenzhen branch, highlighted the significance of this achievement. “This is the first time that China has conducted offshore installation of cylindrical marine equipment,” he said. The cylindrical design offers advantages over conventional ship-shaped FPSOs, including reduced steel usage, higher oil storage efficiency, and improved resilience against harsh sea conditions, thereby enhancing economic viability and reducing development and operational costs.
Despite its benefits, the cylindrical structure presented significant installation challenges due to its high center of gravity and susceptibility to rotation in strong winds. To ensure stability, engineers installed 12 sets of deepwater suction anchors on the seabed, connected by mooring legs measuring 2,570 meters in length and capable of withstanding loads of up to 2,300 tonnes. This robust mooring system secures “Haikui No. 1” firmly in place, enabling safe and efficient operations in turbulent sea conditions.
The successful installation of “Haikui No. 1” represents a major step forward for China’s offshore oil and gas industry, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to advancing its technological capabilities and energy production infrastructure.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
