CNOOC shuts down platforms because of subsea pipeline leak

Dec. 19, 2011
CNOOC Ltd. said Zhuhai Hengqin gas processing terminal reported a leak in a subsea gas pipeline, prompting the shut down of relevant platforms in Panyu 30-1 gas field and Hui Zhou 21-1 oil field in the eastern South China Sea off Guangdong Province.

CNOOC Ltd. said Zhuhai Hengqin gas processing terminal reported a leak in a subsea gas pipeline, prompting the shut down of relevant platforms in Panyu 30-1 gas field and Hui Zhou 21-1 oil field in the eastern South China Sea off Guangdong Province.

Zhuhai terminal, on the Hengqin island of Zhuhai city, is the gas processing terminal for the joint development gas project of PY30-1 and HZ21-1 fields. No injuries or environmental damage was reported, CNOOC said.

Currently, the terminal is under accelerated depressurization process. A pipeline leakage emergency plan was initiated CNOOC and Chinese authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.

CNOOC is monitoring the situation and setting up an alert zone around the area where the incident took place. Operations at Zhuhai terminal are to be resumed as soon as possible once the pipeline is repaired, CNOOC said.