China’s state-owned Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) has launched its deepwater pipelay and heavy-lift vessel, Hai Yang Shi You 201, on its maiden international mission, signaling a significant step towards global expansion of Chinese offshore engineering capabilities.
On May 8, the vessel set sail from Gaolan Port in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, en route to the Middle East. Its destination: two major offshore projects in Qatar, marking its first deployment outside Chinese waters.
The deepwater giant will undertake critical operations for QatarEnergy’s ISND5-2 project, encompassing the design, procurement, construction, transportation, and installation of major offshore infrastructure. The project scope includes:
- Three wellhead platforms, each weighing approximately 1,300 tonnes.
- Nine subsea pipelines, supporting essential energy transport.
- Five umbilicals for enhanced connectivity.
- Four subsea skids, critical for underwater stability and support.
- Modifications to existing platforms to optimize performance and integration.
COOEC’s deployment of Hai Yang Shi You 201 to Qatar represents a historic first, reflecting China’s growing influence and capability in offshore oil and gas engineering on a global scale. As energy demands surge across the Middle East, the successful execution of this project could pave the way for further Chinese participation in international deepwater developments.
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