Giant sea platform built at Gaolan Port for Hong Kong

A 12,000-ton gas extraction structure, the Wenchang 9-2/9-3 Central Platform, is ready for transport from the Gaolan Port Economic Zone to a site in the western South China Sea.

The sea hauling is expected to be accomplished on June 1. The largest such platform in Guangdong Province, it is to extract and produce natural gas for Hong Kong next year.  

Wenchang 9-2/9-3 Central Platform [Photo by Zhang Zhou / Zhuhai Daily]

The structure was constructed by COOEC-Fluor Heavy Industries. It is 83 m long, 40 m wide, and 53 m high and contains living quarters to accommodate a crew of 120 in addition to Drilling Support and Derrick Equipment Set modules.

According to Wang Chao of the project staff, cutting-edge technologies have been applied. Offshore gas field platforms formerly were hoisted at sea, whereas the Wenchang structure has been manufactured on land. It will be installed using "integral floating hauling" that shortens the construction period and saves money.