“Xuanji” System: Enhancing Iraq’s Oil Exploration Technology
To date, the “Xuanji” drilling system, developed by China Oilfield Services Limited, a subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corporation, has achieved a total drilling depth of 54,000 meters and logged 12,000 hours of operation in Iraq’s Maysan Oilfield.
The “Xuanji” system integrates rotary steerable drilling and logging-while-drilling technologies, enabling precise control of the drill bit’s direction several kilometers underground through complex rock formations.
The rectangular ribs protruding from the front of the drill bit are one of the core components of the “Xuanji”, they apply varying degrees of force against the rock formation based on instructions sent from surface equipment, thereby generating reactive force to change the drill’s direction.
Since its deployment at Maysan Oilfield in 2020, the “Xuanji” system has drawn widespread attention and praise at international exhibitions such as the Iraq Basra Oil & Gas. Through production line upgrades, the system has significantly enhanced its resistance to abrasion, directional stability, and downhole monitoring capabilities, making it highly reliable in complex geological formations.
King Salman International Complex’s Dry Dock Flooding and Draining System: Overcoming Challenges in the Middle East’s Largest Dry Dock
In early November, the flooding and draining systems for the fourth and fifth docks of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Complex were successfully tested.
Located in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, the King Salman International Complex covers 11.25 square kilometers. Once completed, it will specialize in shipbuilding, rig construction and maintenance and supertanker repairs. In early 2019, a consortium led by SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation and Sinohydro Group Ltd, subsidiaries of Power Construction Corporation of China, secured EPC contracts for three key sections of the project.
The fourth and fifth docks, with capacities reaching one million tons, feature the largest systems of their kind in the Middle East.
The project is expected to complete its major land-based construction by the end of 2024, with marine works scheduled for completion in 2025. Chinese enterprises have concentrated resources to tackle technical challenges, resulting in 32 papers published in core journals, two invention patents, 47 utility model patents, and 15 software copyrights. Four achievements, including the dry dock flooding and draining system, have reached internationally advanced levels.
When viewed from atop a 1,600-ton gantry crane over 110 meters high, the King Salman International Complex showcases a harmonious layout of modern workshops, towering cranes and expansive dry docks. Cao Yan, chief engineer of the project, highlighted the project’s future milestones, which include the world’s largest shipyard, the largest ship lift system and the longest quay.
Infrared Gas Monitoring System in Abu Dhabi Onshore Oilfields: "X-Ray Vision" for Safety
In the deserts of Abu Dhabi, approximately 200 kilometers southwest of the UAE’s capital, stand 20-meter-high steel towers, each topped with a white box resembling a slide projector. Equipped with dual lenses, the box rotates slowly, scanning its surroundings.
“This is the oilfield’s ‘X-ray vision’, capable of detecting otherwise undetectable gas leaks and reporting them to the control center immediately,” said Tian Xiaojing, general manager of the Abu Dhabi branch of China ZhenHua Oil Co., Ltd. This marks the first deployment of China’s long-distance infrared monitoring technology in a high-end international oilfield.
The system uses cryogenically cooled components operating at -197°C and employs hyperspectral infrared monitoring to detect gas leaks at wellheads, pipelines and processing plants in real time. This significantly reduces risks and enhances efficiency in oilfield management.
The first batch of equipment is currently being installed, with a second batch in the tendering phase. In the future, these devices will form a coordinated monitoring network covering key areas of Abu Dhabi’s onshore oilfields.
“This infrared gas monitoring system not only proactively detects gas leaks but also identifies people and animals from a distance, providing robust safety assurances for oilfield operations,” said Abdul Munim, Executive Director for Upstream Operations at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. He praised Chinese enterprises for their contributions to oilfield development and operational efficiency and expressed hope for deeper cooperation to promote energy security and sustainability.
“The application of the infrared gas monitoring and warning system in UAE oilfields is a testament to China’s accelerated innovation and the embodiment of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
