Today, on July 15th, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) proudly announced that China’s most advanced deep-water geophysical exploration team has successfully completed its first 3D seismic survey operation in the equatorial waters of West Africa. This marks a significant milestone, as it fills a critical gap in China's operations at the equator’s zero-latitudes. The operation took place off the coast of Gabon in Western Africa, covering an expansive area exceeding 10,000 square kilometers. This project not only represents a breakthrough in scale but also sets a new record as the largest single-operation marine 3D seismic exploration project in the history of offshore oil exploration.
The equatorial region presents unique challenges, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius and sea life thriving at a pace several times faster than in the South China Sea. These conditions put immense pressure on the equipment, particularly the seismic cables, which had to withstand the harsh environment. The team deployed a total of 12 cables, each 8,100 meters long, stretching across an impressive 180 kilometers of sea lines, with the shallowest depth being just 30 meters.
Wu Tao, the fleet manager of the "Haiyang Youji 721," noted during the operation that they covered a staggering 1.891 million square meters of ocean surface, an area equivalent to over 1,200 standard football fields. This achievement pushed the operational boundaries of their team and equipment to their limits.
Operating continuously for five months, the Haiyang Youji 721 set a new record for the longest continuous operation by a geophysical vessel at sea. This vessel has consistently broken records, achieving the highest daily and monthly production rates in China’s geophysical exploration history. The peak daily output reached an impressive 116.14 square kilometers.
Qi Meisheng, CEO of CNOOC Oilfield Services Co., Ltd., expressed pride in the successful completion of this project, stating that it demonstrates China’s capability to conduct high-end 3D seismic surveys in extreme environments, whether freezing or scorching. This advancement strengthens China’s position in exporting its technical expertise within the global energy sector, particularly along the "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
The deep-water geophysical fleet comprises the Haiyang Shiyou 720 and Haiyang Shiyou 721. The Haiyang Shiyou 720, as Asia's first new-generation deep-water 3D seismic exploration vessel, boasts a length of 107.4 meters, a width of 28 meters, and the ability to tow 12 cables, each 8,000 meters long. Its primary function is to explore deep-sea structures, providing crucial data for estimating oil reserves and planning future seabed developments. In 2016, the Haiyang Shiyou 720 completed over 5,400 square kilometers of 3D seismic surveys in two regions of the Barents Sea, seamlessly bridging operations between extremely cold and hot climates.
The Haiyang Shiyou 721, built upon the foundation of the 720, was constructed and launched in just 15 months, achieving the fastest construction rate for this type of vessel. Together with its sister ship, the Haiyang Shiyou 720, they formed a formidable "Made in China" fleet, successfully completing this groundbreaking seismic exploration mission in the equatorial waters of West Africa.
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