China’s CNOOC Successfully Installs Asia’s First Cylindrical FPSO Facility, Haikui No. 1

The first cylindrical FPSO facility in Asia, dubbed “Haikui No. 1,” has been installed at sea.

The news was announced by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), its owner, on June 10th, 2024

The achievement marks a breakthrough for China in installing floating facilities in deepwater oil and gas fields, according to CNOOC, the country’s most significant offshore oil and gas producer.

“Haikui No. 1” is a cylindrical FPSO facility that is self-developed and installed in the sea zone of the Liuhua Oilfield based in the Pearl River Mouth Basin.

It extends over 320 meters deep and is situated approximately 240 km to the southeast of Shenzhen City.

Weighing 37,000 tons and towering at about 30 floors, “Haikui No. 1” reportedly integrates the functions of crude oil storage, production, and offloading.

It comprises approximately 600,000 components, and the main deck equals the size of 13 standard basketball courts.

Besides, it has a max oil storage capacity of 60,000 tons per CNOOC.

Video Credits: CCTV Video News Agency/YouTube

Wang Huoping, the deputy general manager of the Liuhua Oilfield development project at CNOOC’s Shenzhen branch, mentioned that this is the first time China has carried out offshore installation of any cylindrical marine equipment.

Boasting a design life of up to 30 years, “Haikui No. 1” can sea operations for about 15 years without docking.

Compared to the traditional ship-shaped structures of the FPSO unit, the cylindrical structure design extends benefits like lowered steel usage, improved oil storage efficiency, and enhanced equipment to withstand turbulent sea conditions.

This improves economic viability and minimises the costs associated with oilfield development and operations, said Wang.

However, owing to its high centre of gravity and sizable windward area, the cylindrical structure is prone to rotation, making the offshore installation challenging.

To maintain the stability of “Haikui No. 1” in the turbulent sea, 12 sets of deepwater suction anchors, designed independently and built by China, were installed on the seabed.

The anchors are linked through 12 mooring legs.

Each leg is about 2,570 meters long, with a breaking load of 2,300 tons.

Wang explained that the mooring system serves as underwater mooring piles, securing “Haikui No. 1.”

Reference: CGTN

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Source: Maritime Shipping News