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China's super oil rig ready to drill

By Zhao Chunzhe (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-24 11:43

One of the world's most advanced super oil rigs will start operating in China's South Sea in August, the Beijing Daily reported today.

Ocean Petroleum 981, a deepwater semi-submersible drilling platform, is seen in Shanghai on May 23, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

The $892 million deepwater semi-submersible drilling platform - dubbed Ocean Petroleum 981 - is the first of its kind designed and constructed in China.

The huge investment by China National Offshore Oil Corp marks the country's ambitious plans in developing ocean energy industry.

China's first super-deepwater drilling platform has an operating water depth of 3,000 meters and drilling depth of 12,000 meters, according to the report.

The deck of the platform is as big as a soccer field, with a height equaling a 45-story building. Its underwater operating range covers an area as big as the city of Beijing.

Nine power generators on the platform have the capacity to provide electivity for nearly 200,000 people.

According to an engineer of the project, the platform can stand wind speeds of 109 knots (202 km/h), the report said.