Shenlan Tansuo, the world's first intelligent deep-water oil rig, works at the estuary of the Pearl River to the South China Sea on Sept 9.[Photo/WeChat account: haimenrongmei]

Shenlan Tansuo, the world's first intelligent deep-water oil rig, started working at the estuary of the Pearl River to the South China Sea on Sept 9.

The platform was independently designed and built by the Haimen shipbuilding center of China Merchants Industry Holdings Co in Haimen district, Nantong, specifically for the hydrological environment and climate of the South China Sea. 

It boasts a number of cutting-edge technologies and is believed to significantly enhance the country's capacity in oil and gas exploration and development in medium and deep-water seas.

The platform can work at a maximum depth of 1,000 meters with a maximum drilling depth of 9,144 meters. It is the first application of grade R6 mooring chains with a diameter of 89 millimeters, which allows the platform to resist a super typhoon.

It is also the first oil rig to receive the Smart notation from DNV (Det Norske Veritas), an international certification and classification body that specializes in technical assessment, advisory, and risk management.