NAIROBI, Kenya- In a groundbreaking achievement for China’s offshore engineering capabilities, the country has officially delivered its heaviest-ever international offshore oil and gas platform.
Weighing an astonishing 17,000 tonnes, this engineering marvel marks a significant milestone in China’s large-scale offshore oil and gas equipment construction technology.
After 34 months of meticulous construction in Qingdao, Shandong Province, this behemoth is set to embark on a journey of 6,400 nautical miles to its new home in the waters of Saudi Arabia by the end of this month.
Once in place, the platform will play a critical role in the Marjan oilfield, a key asset in Saudi Arabia’s oil production portfolio.
Standing taller than a 24-story building and boasting a deck area equivalent to 15 standard basketball courts, the platform is designed to handle the colossal task of collecting and transporting extracted offshore oil and gas.
With its capacity to process 24 million tonnes of crude oil and 7.4 billion cubic meters of gas annually, the platform sets new international benchmarks in terms of scale, pipeline variety, and system complexity.
The platform’s journey to the Marjan oilfield is not just a technological feat; it’s a strategic move to bolster global energy production.
Once operational, the Marjan oilfield’s output is expected to soar, with annual crude oil production anticipated to reach 24 million tonnes.
This development is crucial as the world grapples with energy demands and the shift towards more efficient extraction technologies.
China’s successful delivery of this colossal platform marks a new era in offshore oil and gas extraction technology and solidifies China’s position as a leading manufacturer of energy infrastructure.
The Marjan oilfield, once fully operational, is set to become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s oil production, thanks to this massive engineering feat.
