CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corp.) announced that Lufeng 12-3 Oilfield Development Project has begun production. The project is located in the eastern South China Sea, with an average water depth of approximately 240 meters. Lufeng 12-3 Oilfield is the largest jointly-developed oilfield in the South China Sea in the past decade.

The main production facilities include one wellhead platform and one newly built 100,000-ton intelligent FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading), with 13 development wells planned to be put into production. The newbuild FPSO—Hai Yang Shi You 123—is designed to accommodate 80 people and to supply power to the field’s wellhead platform, with storage capacity of 650,000 barrels of oil and production capacity of 70,000 barrels per day of fluids.

Hai Yang Shi You 123 is the first FPSO in China that integrates digital technologies including cloud computing, big data, internet of things, artificial intelligence and edge computing.

Equipped with 24-hour monitoring function for decision-making and optimization control, the FPSO applies digital twin technology in its production process, the hull and the single point mooring. The data is shared between the offshore and onshore units and allows for intelligent production and operation management.

The project is expected to achieve a peak production of approximately 29,500 barrels of crude oil per day in 2024. It will provide stable energy supply for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and contribute to the development of the local economy.

CNOOC Limited holds a 60.8% interest in the project, while SK earthon owns 39.2% and acts as the operator.