On September 16, the construction of "Hai Yang Shi You 201", the first deepwater pipe-laying barge of China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) started in Nantong, Jiangsu Province.

"Hai Yang Shi You 201" is the first autonomous deepwater pipe-laying barge independently designed and constructed in China, as well as CNOOC's first engineering vessel engaged in deepwater pipe laying and lifting operations.

Adopting a series of advanced technologies and equipment, including a full-electric propulsion system, a 4,000-ton heavy lifting crane and an automatic pipe-laying operating line, "Hai Yang Shi You 201" possessed a maximum operation depth of 3,000 meters, a pipe-laying speed of 5 km/day and a lifting capacity of 4,000 tons. The vessel has been granted the classifications of China Classification Society (CCS) and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). With advanced technologies and operation capability, it is able to conduct operations in unrestricted navigation area except the North Pole, taking a leading place in its kind.