Asia's largest offshore oil processing platform 'Huizhou 19-6' installed in Zhuhai.
On Saturday, the installation of the main structure of Asia's largest offshore crude oil processing platform — 'Huizhou 19-6' — was completed in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, after nearly a year of construction.
When multi‑thousand‑tonne steel structures, like giant building blocks, settle into place on the open sea, it becomes more than an engineering feat — it is a symbol of persistence and strategic vision. Building Asia's largest platform is not only a challenge against the elements and technology but also a step towards energy independence, which in today's world is the bedrock of national security. Every tonne of steel and every metre of pipe here are not just numbers but a contribution to the stability of entire regions.
The 'Huizhou 19-6' platform is a three‑storey structure with eight supports. Its topside stands about 85 metres tall (higher than a 30‑storey building), covers an area equivalent to nearly 13 basketball courts, and weighs some 29,000 tonnes during transport. "This lifting operation was equivalent to lifting a four‑storey steel building covering almost five basketball courts. It demands extreme crane coordination and centre‑of‑gravity control," said project construction manager Wang Changlin.
The team used multi‑zone deck assembly and integrated lifting, reducing the number of lifts from 30 to 10 and achieving an integration rate of over 90 per cent. "Like building blocks, we move some complex high‑altitude assembly work to the ground, improving efficiency and safety," explained Wei Kongwei from CNOOC.
With the main structure in place, the project moves to pipeline and cable installation. The platform will serve the 'Huizhou 19-6' oilfield — China's first large‑scale offshore oilfield with reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes, discovered in deep terrigenous rocks. Commissioning is expected in September 2027.
As CCTV+ reports, the installation of 'Huizhou 19-6' marks a key step in China's offshore oil development and energy security. The experience gained will underpin future projects and confirm the industry's technological maturity.
