China to explore South East Sea in 2012

International sovereignty issues have been raised once again as China prepares to dig for oil in the South East Sea.

Beijing is preparing to send a huge ship, the Marine Oil and Gas 708, and a huge oil rig, the Marine 981, to explore for oil and gas in the deep waters of the South East Sea; it has been reported by Asia News.

The possibility of oil deposits in the sea has raised disputes over sovereignty, with Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei contesting the natural resources. However, China is the only country with drilling potential adequate enough to reach the depths required.

The Marine Oil 708, built in China, can explore oil and gas at a depth of 3,000 m and drill at 600 m under the sea. The ship is 105 m long and 23.4 m wide. It is equipped with advanced probes and can withstand wave level 12.

An oil well will also be drilled, using oil Marine 981, which can operate at depths of 3,000 metres and drill at depths of 10,000 meters, with an operation capacity 18 times greater than existing oil rigs.

Posted by Joseph Hutton