The Haiyang Shiyou 123 vessel was launched in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, on June 16, marking a significant milestone in the development of China’s energy sector.
Haiyang Shiyou 123 is a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel capable of processing oil and gas offshore, eliminating the need for transportation from offshore platforms to onshore facilities. The vessel is operated by the Energy Services and Technology Company under the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
Haiyang Shiyou 123 in Nantong City. (Photo: CFP).
Haiyang Shiyou 123 has a capacity of 100,000 tons, with a length of 241.5 meters, a width of 45.2 meters, and a height of 25.4 meters. Its deck area is equivalent to 1.5 standard football fields. The vessel is equipped with over 8,000 sensors that monitor temperature, pressure, and liquid levels. The data collected by the sensor system will be sent to the server room, where commands are issued to control the vessel’s production operations.
“With this ‘brain’ on board, we can view and utilize all data in one place. Our experience is transformed into algorithms that help make better decisions. When an incident occurs, we can diagnose and act faster,” stated Deng Xin, an engineer on the vessel.
In addition to the onboard system, a digital twin of the vessel has also been established to operate in combination at sea and on land. This digital twin is located in an intelligent control center in Shenzhen, 1,000 kilometers away from the actual vessel. This virtual replica can be used for real-time monitoring of production processes.
“The digital twin enhances our ability to respond to emergencies. The new system is much faster than traditional processes based on experience,” commented Zhang Baolei, the deputy engineer of the Haiyang Shiyou 123 project.
Haiyang Shiyou 123 is expected to be deployed to the Lufeng 12-3 oil field in the coming weeks. The estimated output of the vessel is 1.5 million tons per year. The launch of Haiyang Shiyou 123 is an important milestone for China’s oil and gas industry. The advanced technology of the vessel will enhance the efficiency and safety of offshore oil production. Moreover, the vessel also exemplifies China’s progress in digital twin technology.
