Phase II of China's largest offshore gas field fully operational, boosting energy security

Phase II operations of China's Shenhai Yihao, the country's largest intelligent ultra-deepwater gas field, commenced on Wednesday, marking significant strides in boosting energy security and advancing offshore resource technology.

Located about 90 kilometers from Sanya in south China's Hainan Province, the gas field, also referred to as Deep Sea No.1, plays a vital role in enhancing China's gas supply and energy security, according to the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

With estimated reserves exceeding 150 billion cubic meters, the Shenhai Yihao gas field holds immense potential, and its peak annual output is projected to reach 4.5 billion cubic meters when fully operational.

"Upon full operation of the project, the peak annual natural gas output of Shenhai Yihao is expected to reach 4.5 billion cubic meters," said Li Jinsong, general manager of Lingshui-Yacheng Operation Company of CNOOC's Hainan subsidiary.

With this enhanced output, the gas field can supply over 15 million cubic meters of natural gas daily to south China's provinces and regions including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hainan Province.

It is China's first independently developed and self-built ultra-deepwater gas field, featuring the greatest operational water depth of over 1,500 meters and the highest temperatures, up to 138 degrees Celsius, in the country's offshore gas development history.

Due to its most challenging exploration and development conditions, the gas field was constructed in two phases.

Following the Phase I project that began operations in June 2021, the phase II upgraded the facilities of a nearly 30-year-old shallow-water gas field into a comprehensive oil and gas production platform, integrating capabilities of natural gas processing, shallow-water drilling, deep-water flow assurance, and cross-regional gas distribution.

"With the experience gained from the first-phase development, the phase II project pioneered a "shallow-deep integration" development model, enabling shallow-water jacket platforms and deep-water production systems to operate in synergy, reducing costs while improving efficiency," said Yu Faling, deputy director of the platforms department of Shenhai Yihao's phase II project.

The phase II project includes such facilities as 12 deepwater gas wells, a subsea production system, a comprehensive processing platform weighing over 14,000 tonnes, and five submarine pipelines with a total length of approximately 250 kilometers. This forms a massive oil and gas production facility cluster spanning over 170 kilometers.

Phase II of China's largest offshore gas field fully operational, boosting energy security

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia holds the strategic initiative along the entire front lines and the goals of the country's special military operation in Ukraine will be achieved.

"The past year has been an important milestone in fulfilling the tasks of the special military operation," Putin said while addressing an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Putin underscored that Russia has the capability to accelerate its offensive pace, adding that Russia's task of expanding the security buffer zone will be fulfilled, and the core goals of the operation will be realized.

"This year alone, more than 300 settlements have been liberated, including major cities that the enemy had turned into fortified strongholds equipped with long-term defensive structures," the Russian leader said.

He said that the Russian military currently holds the strategic initiative along the entire Russia-Ukraine conflict front and is defeating Ukrainian forces, including elite Ukrainian units trained in the West.

Russia is currently seeking mutually beneficial and fair cooperation with the United States and European countries, Putin said.

Putin rejected claims portraying Russia as a threat to European nations, saying that such narratives are unfounded and fabricated.

Putin also announced that several submarines and surface ships have been commissioned into the Russian Navy this year, while the "Oreshnik" missile complex will enter combat duty by the end of 2025.

Russian military holds strategic initiative along entire Russia-Ukraine conflict front: Putin