The 10,000-ton central processing platform of the Caofeidian Oilfield project has been positioned in the Bohai Bay
On January 20th, it was learned from Offshore Oil Engineering Co., LTD. (referred to as "CNOOC Engineering") that with the precise connection of the upper block weighing over 16,000 tons with the jacket, the comprehensive adjustment project of Caofeidian 6-4 Oilfield (referred to as" The CEPB platform of the Caofeidian Oilfield project has completed its floating installation in the Bohai Bay, marking a major progress in the project's construction. This is of great significance for promoting the increase of offshore oil and gas reserves and production and ensuring national energy security.
It is reported that the Caofeidian 6-4 Oilfield is located in the western part of the Bohai Sea. It is a brand-new "green oilfield" in China's offshore area, with an average water depth of about 20 meters. The central processing platform that has been installed this time is an 8-leg three-story deck structure central platform, which is 50.4 meters high, equivalent to the height of an 18-story residential building. It is 73.7 meters long and 73.1 meters wide, with an area close to 13 standard basketball courts. The floating support weight of the upper block is approximately 16,300 tons, equivalent to the total weight of 12,000 small cars.
As the weight of the upper components of the platform exceeded the limit of the floating crane lifting capacity of ships at sea, the installation at sea was carried out using the "floating support" method, that is, by taking advantage of the natural force of the tide, the upper components were precisely installed on the jacket frame in a manner similar to a weightlifter's "clean lift".
This floating towing operation at sea takes place in the winter of the Bohai Bay, where the climate and environment are complex and changeable, and the available weather window for the operation is short. What is even more challenging is that the submarine pipelines in the operation area are complex, and the requirements for construction technology are extremely high.
To ensure the safe and efficient completion of the floating towing operation at sea, the project team has continuously carried out simulation exercises, dynamic monitoring of the operation vessels and risk control. Through calculation analysis and desktop rehearsals, they have continuously optimized and dynamically adjusted the construction plan. During the operation, the construction team monitored the weather conditions and tidal dynamics of the operation sea area in real time. They fully utilized the linkage between the anchor machine and the port tugboat, dynamically adjusted the speed and direction of the three full-rotation tugboats, and strengthened risk control. Eventually, from the anchoring of the main floating towing operation vessel to the arrival of the floating towing, it only took 9.5 hours, which was 3 hours shorter than the original plan.
The floating support installation of the CEPB platform for the comprehensive adjustment project of Caofeidian 6-4 Oilfield is the first large-scale floating support installation operation of CNOOC in 2025, marking the beginning of the offshore platform installation work in 2025. After the project goes into production, it will effectively provide a support for the development of newly discovered oil and gas fields in the surrounding areas and contribute to ensuring China's energy security and building a maritime power.