China installs record-breaking Haiji-2 deepwater jacket

China's domestically built Haiji-2 deepwater jacket, setting new standards across Asia, was successfully installed in the Pearl River Mouth Basin after 16 hours of operation.

Measuring 338.5 meters tall and 37,000 tonnes heavy, the Haiji-2 surpasses all previous Asian benchmarks for deepwater jackets in terms of height, weight, operational depth, and construction speed. Anchored to the seabed, the structures serve as the foundation for offshore oil and gas rigs.

"China's largest crane vessel for offshore oil and gas engineering, the Lanjing 7500, was used to right the jacket," said Shu Wei, a project manager at the Liuhua oilfield with Offshore Oil Engineering Co., Ltd.

The impressive frame, constructed with roughly the same amount of steel as the main stadium of Beijing's 2008 Summer Olympics, remains unpainted. Instead, strategically placed zinc blocks provide long-term protection against rust. By sacrificing themselves to seawater oxidation, these zinc blocks will safeguard the platform for its 30-year lifespan.

Following installation, additional construction, like underwater piling, will take place. Ultimately, the Haiji-2 will be paired with the Haiyang Shiyou 122, Asia's first cylindrical floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility. Together, they will form China's first deepwater oilfield, the Liuhua field, boasting proven geological reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes.

This achievement marks a significant leap for China's offshore oil and gas industry, surpassing their previous record-holder, the 340.5-meter Haiji-1 installed in 2020 within the same basin. Before the Haiji-1, China possessed over 300 offshore jackets, all operating in waters shallower than 200 meters.

Watch: How did the Haiji-2 slide into the sea?