The Wushi 23-5 oilfield cluster, China's first comprehensively green-designed offshore oilfield, began operations on July 1.
Located in the Beibu Gulf, off China’s southern coast, and with an average water depth of about 28 meters, the development plan is to drill and operate 43 oil wells, including 28 production wells and 15 water injection wells.
An aerial view of the Wushi 23-5 oilfield cluster. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has implemented innovative measures throughout the entire process, fully implementing the concept of green and low-carbon development and providing a demonstration in low-carbon transformation for the energy industry.
CNOOC builder works on an elevated part of the Wushi 23-5 oilfield cluster platform. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The oilfield cluster features a crude oil processing station, a liquefied natural gas station, a liquefied petroleum gas station, a production water treatment station, a substation and a 5G base station.
The production water treatment station can achieve higher purity water after a four-stage treating process, while the substation transmits green shore power to the offshore platform after voltage transformation, replacing traditional gas-fired power generation with outstanding carbon reduction effects.
The 5G network supports various intelligent applications such as unmanned aerial inspections of offshore facilities and 24-hour oil spill monitoring on the sea surface.
A worker prepares for high-altitude operations. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
In March of this year, two platforms were installed and drilling capacity was achieved. In May, the first batch of six wells were drilled, 40 days ahead of schedule. At the same time, the fixed oil containment booms were put to sea, building a solid line of defense for safety and environmental protection.
Workers install valves. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
After more than 40 years of exploration, 8 years of design and over a year of construction, the Wushi oilfield is now up and running, providing solid support for China's green and low-carbon energy development.
A panoramic view of the Wushi 23-5 oilfield cluster. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
