On September 4, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced the commencement of production at the Wenchang 16-2 oil field development project. Located in the western waters of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, the oil field sits at a water depth of approximately 150 meters. The project plans to have 15 development wells into production, with a specified peak daily output exceeding 10,000 barrels of oil.
To achieve high-quality development of the Wenchang 16-2 oil field, CNOOC conducted extensive research and demonstration to form a scientific development plan. In geology, project teams conducted in-depth studies and developed multiple technologies to address challenges such as thin reservoir, difficulties in crude lifting, and scattered wells. In terms of engineering, the project involved the construction of a new jacket platform integrating functions such as crude extraction, production processing, drilling and completion, and personnel living support. Additionally, an approximately 28.4-kilometer-long multiphase subsea pipeline and a similarly long subsea power cable were laid. The development also leverages existing facilities of the nearby Wenchang oil field cluster.
In September 2024, the construction of the jacket platform commenced. The platform consists of four main components: the jacket, the topside module, the living quarters, and the modular drilling rig. With a total height exceeding 200 meters and a total weight of approximately 19,200 tonnes, it is a significant infrastructure in the region. The jacket stands about 161.6 meters tall, making it the tallest jacket in the western South China Sea. The living quarters feature a shell-based design, serving as the first standardized living quarters of CNOOC Hainan Branch. The modular drilling rig, designed with a service life of 25 years, incorporates innovative equipment capable of early warning for potential risks, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of future drilling operations. During the platform construction, the project team adopted standardized design, integrated procurement, and streamlined construction methods, reducing the overall construction period by nearly two months compared to other platforms of the same type.
The development drilling of the Wenchang 16-2 oilfield officially commenced on June 23. The project team actively embraced the principle of “Smart and Optimal Drilling & Completion Engineering” and designated the project as a demonstration initiative to develop technologies and explore best practices under the “Smart and Optimal” framework.
Prior to the commencement of drilling, the project team faced multiple challenges, including the complexity of shallow extended-reach drilling, potential fluid loss in buried-hill fractured zones, and difficulties in developing reservoirs with “gas atop and water below.” Through comprehensive planning, the team conducted dedicated research on drilling and completion procedures, fluid systems, and intelligent well cleaning, ultimately establishing four adaptive technical systems. Moreover, the team completed all offshore installation and commissioning activities for a new modular drilling rig in just 30 days, setting a new record for installation efficiency in the western South China Sea.
After operations began, the team deployed more automated and intelligent equipment, reducing heavy physical labor intensity by 20%. By utilizing a “Sky Eye” system, around-the-clock visual safety management was achieved. The addition of a real-time mud monitoring system and high-precision sensors significantly enhanced early kick detection capabilities from multiple dimensions. Furthermore, the innovative application of a lower oil-water-ratio, solid-free synthetic drilling fluid contributed to improved performance. As a result, the first three development wells were completed with nearly 50% higher operational efficiency, while maintaining full safety and quality assurance throughout the process.
Coordination of the operational potential of engineering vessels such as “Hai Yang Shi You 202″ (Offshore Oil 202), the subsea pipeline installation was efficiently completed. Upon the completion and flowback of the first three wells, the oil will be directly transported via pipelines to the nearby Wenchang 9-7 oilfield for processing and export, contributing to ensuring national energy security.
It is reported that the Wenchang 16-2 oilfield is the first oilfield developed by CNOOC Hainan Branch, as the company previously focused solely on natural gas fields. This year, the company has set a challenge to “achieve oil production of ten million tons and gas production exceeding ten billion cubic meters,” designating the Wenchang 16-2 oilfield as a “training ground” and “testing zone” to explore best practices under the “Smart and Optimal” framework, thereby enhancing the company’s profitability and risk resilience.
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Post time: Sep-18-2025