September 07, 2008

China cuts steel on first deepwater semi

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation began construction on China's first deepwater semi submersible drilling unit in April 2008. The steel cutting ceremony on China's first semi submersible was held on the afternoon of April 28th 2008 at the Chinese yard located in Pudong in Shanghai.

The semi submersible will be equipped with DP3 and the ability to drill up to 12,000 meters in water depths of up to 3,000 meters. Delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2011.

Shanghai Waigaoqiao was commissioned by CNOOC to build the semi in 2007. Construction of the semi also marks China’s move towards deepwater exploration following the discovery of Husky Oil's South China Sea Liwan 3-1 field in 2006.