World largest offshore drilling platform to make maiden voyage

Chinese-produced offshore drilling platform "Blue Whale II", the world's largest, is set to ship out from Yantai, Shandong Province, reports CGTN.

Chinese-produced offshore drilling platform "Blue Whale II" during a test voyage on July 29, 2017, from Yantai, Shandong Province. [Photo: VCG]

Designed to operate in waters close to 3,700 meters deep, the 37-story high platform can drill down over 15-kilometers. This will allow the "Blue Whale II" to access around 95% of underwater areas on earth.

Equipped with eight thrusters, the 44,000 ton "Blue Whale II" can withstand hurricane force winds of up to 200km/h.

The drilling platform completed a 21-day test voyage in August, 2017. The maiden voyage will last for 18 days. However, the exact date for the departure has not been set.

China's marine engineering sector has been on a fast track over the past decade, with China said to be gradually catching up with leading off-shore oil rig producing companies such as Singapore and South Korea in terms of market share, according to the CGTN report.