In 2017, Blue Whale I, the core equipment for exploring combustible ice, successfully explored the combustible ice in the Shenhu Area (in the northern South China Sea) with two world’s records for total gas production and gas production timeline. Its first sea trial offers valuable experience in technological improvement and operation preparation for Blue Whale II.

On September 26th, the naming ceremony of asemi-submersible drilling platform was held in Yantai Yard of CIMC RAFFLES. The name “Blue Whale” was awarded. Officials, leaders, suppliers, financial institutions from China Geological Survey, Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey,Yantai government, CNPC Offshore Engineering Company Limited and CIMC RAFFLES attended this ceremony.

“Blue Whale II” which was designed and built by CIMC Raffles is the deepest drilling and operation drilling rig with operation depth up to 3,658 meters and drilling depth up to 15,240 meters. The length of the rig is 117m, the width is 92.7m and the height is 118m.Furthermore, it can be operated within 95% sea worldwide. Compared with the normal single tower platform, “Blue whale II” is equipped with high-efficiency hydraulic dual towers and the state-of-the-art closed-cycle dynamic system (DP3), which can improve efficiency by 30% in operation and meanwhile saving fuel consumption up to 10%.

Both “Blue Whale I” and “Blue Whale II” are built with the same design, but there are major innovations in this project. During the sea trial, it is the first time to complete the closed-cycle dynamic systemin China, making substantial progress in offshore energy and dynamic system.