China to conduct sea trials for its first ultra-deep-water drilling ship
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It is China’s first vessel capable of ultra-deep-water research and drilling.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY
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BEIJING – China will on Friday conduct sea trials for its first ocean research drilling vessel, capable of drilling at depths of more than 10,000m, a key step towards beefing up the country’s deep-sea oil and gas exploration capabilities.
It is China’s first vessel capable of ultra-deep-water research and drilling, Chinese state media reported on Dec 18. It can travel 15,000 nautical miles and operate for 120 consecutive days without returning to port. It can also drill as deep as 11,000m below sea level.
The vessel named Mengxiang, which means “dream” in Chinese, can navigate in any sea in any part of the world, according to state media.
No details were given on the location of the sea trials.
The trials come as tensions rise in the resource-rich South China Sea and after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said last weekend that his country could start new energy exploration projects in the disputed waterway.
China and the Philippines have traded accusations
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion (S$4 trillion) of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.
In March, China and the Philippines resumed discussions about jointly exploring oil and gas resources in the South China Sea, which has an average depth of more than 1,200m. But Mr Marcos said on Dec 16 that “very little progress” has been made. REUTERS
