China: CNPC’s Pipe-laying Vessel Sails to Hong Kong

On November 26, the pipe-laying vessel ZHONG YOU HAI 101 left the Port of Qingdao. The vessel is expected to arrive at the Shenzhen-Hong Kong waters in ten days and get ready for construction of the final part of the Second West-East Gas Pipeline.

Due to geographical reasons, the access to clean energy has long been limited in Hong Kong. To support Hong Kong’s green and sustainable development, CNPC has designed the Second West-East Gas Pipeline to include Hong Kong as part of the supply network. The project involves construction of a 30km subsea pipe to deliver natural gas to the end users in Hong Kong.

Invested by CNPC, ZHONG YOU HAI 101 is the first shallow-water pipelayer designed and built in China. The high-capacity vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art systems.

The Shenzhen-Hong Kong subsea pipeline is expected to be completed by the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Handover of Hong Kong, i.e. June 30, 2012, with a designed transportation capacity of 6 billion standard cubic meters per year.