Two self-elevating drilling platforms – CJ46 and CJ50 – produced by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, were delivered to the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone on Dec 3.

The two platforms will soon be towed to Qatar, where Northern Offshore Co Ltd will use them to provide drilling services for Qatargas Co. 

Northern Offshore Ltd is a United States-based drilling service contractor affiliated with Shandong Marine Group.

This is the first oil and gas project to be carried out by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co and Shandong Marine Group in a country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. 

The international ocean engineering equipment manufacturing industry recently underwent a slowdown due to declining oil prices, but has experienced a resurgence since 2018 as oil prices recover. 

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co Ltd has delivered six different types of self-elevating offshore platforms, demonstrating its capacity to design and produce tailor-made offshore platforms. 

Zhang Wei, deputy general-manager of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co Ltd, said that the two recently-delivered platforms are capable of operating under severe weather conditions, and their performance is up to international standards.

Next year, the company will deliver another six platforms, he added.

Two self-elevating drilling platforms – CJ46 and CJ50 – produced by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co Ltd of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited are delivered to the Lin-gang Special Area of the China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone on Dec 3. [Photo/pudong.gov.cn]