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Chinese scientists are developing a new method of extracting oil and gas that promises to increase efficiency and extend the life of deep-sea oil fields by decades, transforming the energy industry.
Chinese scientists develop a new method of oil and gas extraction which promises to increase efficiency and extend the useful life of oil fields in deep water for decades, transforming the industry Energy efficiency.
China is revolutionizing the oil and gas extraction with the development of a new model that promises to significantly increase the efficiency of deepwater production.
Developed by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), this innovative model is designed to optimize oil and gas recovery at great depths, extending the life of oil fields by decades.
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The new model of oil and gas extraction
The core of this new approach involves a framework called the “deep water jacket” and a floating cylindrical oil and gas production, storage and transfer facility, known by the acronym FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading).
A deep water jacket is a drilling platform designed to operate at great depths, extracting crude oil from the seabed. The FPSO is responsible for processing, storing and transferring the extracted oil, in addition to providing power to the drilling platform.
This combination of technologies is a first in Asia and was developed specifically for the secondary development project of the Liuhua Oil Field, located in the Pearl River Basin, about 240 kilometers from the city of Shenzhen.
Construction of this project was recently completed with the delivery of Haikui No. 1, Asia’s first cylindrical FPSO installation, and Haiji No. 2, the largest deepwater jacketed structure in the region.
Impact and efficiency
According to Yu Hongkun, production manager of the oil and gas field, the new extraction model has the potential to significantly increase the recovery rate of oil and gas from the reservoirs.
In addition, it can extend the life of oil fields by up to 30 years, which represents a major breakthrough in the efficiency of offshore operations in China.
The process works in an optimized manner: the drilling platform extracts the crude oil and carries out an initial pre-treatment.
The oil is then sent to the FPSO facility, where it is processed, stored and transported to other facilities.
This integrated approach not only maximizes resource recovery, but also reduces the need for constant returns to port, allowing the FPSO to operate at sea for up to 15 years continuously.
Technical challenges and innovations
The installation of these gigantic structures and their subsea production systems involved significant challenges, mainly due to the harsh seabed conditions in the region. Seven submarine pipes and cables, with a total length of 69 kilometers, were used to connect the platforms.
These connections are responsible for transporting oil, gas, water and also for transmitting photoelectric signals essential for operation.
Wang Wei, cable operations manager, highlighted the difficulty of installing these submarine pipes and cables, especially in a deep-water environment with unstable bottom and low rock strength.
"The project team applied advanced digital technology to perform high-precision calculations and simulations, ensuring that the pipes and cables were installed with millimeter precision at a depth of 324 meters.“, Wang said.
For this, underwater robots were used, achieving levels of precision that set a new global standard in the sector.
Platform Features
O Haikui No. 1, with its impressive 37.000 tons and a height equivalent to a 30-story building, has the capacity to store up to 60.000 tons of oil.
With this capacity, it can operate continuously for 15 years without needing to return to port, which guarantees unprecedented operational efficiency.
Haiji No. 2, measuring 428 meters tall and weighing more than 50.000 tons, set new records in Asia in terms of structure height, operational depth and construction speed.
This platform is a symbol of China's technological advancement and industrial capacity to compete globally in deepwater oil and gas operations.
The development of this new oil and gas extraction model by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) not only increases efficiency and productivity in deep waters, but also sets new standards for the industry.
The innovation represents a significant step forward for China's energy exploration and places the country at the forefront of offshore technology.
With the combination of giant platforms, high-precision subsea systems and advanced robotics, China is demonstrating its ability to overcome technical and environmental challenges, promoting a new era of oil and gas exploration.
This technology has been used by Petrobras for over 20 years. What is innovative about this?