Offshore Oil 982 goes through a tilt test. [Photo/cnooc.com.cn]

Offshore Oil 982 became the second sixth-generation deep-water semi-submersible drilling platform to register in Zhanjiang after Offshore Oil 981, as a certificate of registry was recently issued by the city's Maritime Safety Administration.

Measuring at 105.8 meters, the drilling platform is designed with a projected lifetime of 25 years. Considering the environmental conditions of the South China Sea, it is capable of drilling oil wells in areas 1,500 meters below sea level and resisting powerful typhoons of up to 56 meters per second in speed.

Compared with Offshore Oil 981, China's first ultra-deep-water semi-submersible drilling platform, Offshore Oil 982 is more mature in terms of cost, performance and safety. This is because it was able to draw upon the experiences of its predecessors throughout design, construction and operation.

Drilling rigs on the platform can access to oil resources in areas 1,500 meters below sea level. [Photo/cnooc.com.cn]

According to Li Xiaobo, an executive from China Oilfield Services Ltd, the South China Sea is abundant in oil and gas resources, which account for one third of China's total. However, 70 percent of these resources are hidden in deep ocean, thus making deep-water drilling platfroms indispensable.

Eyeing to become a maritime leader, China has sent more and more offshore mobile drilling platforms to the South China Sea for the purposes of exploration, nine of which are registered to Zhanjiang. In response, the local Maritime Safety Administration has pledged full support and high-quality marine services.

For example, the authority had previously taken the initiative in contacting China Oilfield Services Ltd to get a better understating of Offshore Oil 982 and clarify registration procedures. This allowed the fast-tracking of formalities and offerings.