Han Ximin

1824295095@qq.com

A CHINA-MADE semi-submersible platform Shen Lan Tan Suo, or Deepblue Explorer in English, has started drilling at South China Sea, the developer and operator, China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), announced Thursday. Shen Lan Tan Suo is the world’s first smart deep sea drilling rig.

The rig was designed to operate in waters up to 1,000 meters deep and search for crude oil and gas at depths of up to 9,144 meters.

It is now operating at the 20-8-1 oil well in Liuhua Oil Field, which is about 230 kilometers off southeast Hong Kong. The well is 370 meters deep, and the drilling is expected to reach a depth of 3,220 meters.

Tailored for the hydrological and climatic condition of South China Sea, the rig is a cost-effective solution that features a high variable deck load, large deck area and optimized hull shape and is highly operable. It uses digital and smart technologies to improve operations, enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

“The rig utilizes an integrated multi-functional drilling system, which can improve the drilling efficiency by nearly 35 percent, compared with conventional equipment,” said Zhou Songming, general manager of the Drilling Department of China Oilfield Services Co. Ltd., said.

It is also equipped with a new independently developed intelligent operation and maintenance system, which can collect the rig’s real-time operating status data.

“China owns whole proprietary rights over the oil rig. It increases our large sea equipment research capability and makes up the modern industry chain,” Wu Sichuan, deputy general manager of China Merchants Industry Holdings Co. Ltd, the joint manufacturer of the rig, said.

Wu adds that the platform is safer and more environment friendly, compared with other traditional oil rigs, and is the first choice for offshore drilling in South China Sea.