Fossil Energy – Research Drilling Vessel
China will on Friday conduct sea trials for its first ocean research drilling vessel, capable of drilling at depths of more than 10,000 metres (32,800 feet), a key step towards beefing up the country’s deep-sea oil and gas exploration capabilities.
It is China’s first vessel capable of ultra-deepwater research and drilling, Chinese state media reported on Monday. It can travel 15,000 nautical miles (27,780 kilometres) and operate for 120 consecutive days without returning to port. It can also drill as deep as 11,000 metres below sea level.
The vessel Mengxiang, which means ‘dream’ in Chinese, can navigate in any sea in any part of the world.
