On November 1st, 2019, as all operation preparation works finished, "Deepsea Yantai" was successfully drilled in the North Sea of Norwegian, this is the first oil well which drilled by "Deepsea Yantai".

"Deepsea Yantai" is the 6th generation harsh environment semi-submersible drilling rig with GM4-D design, the basic design completed by CIMC RAFFLES and Global Maritime. CIMC RAFFLES has 80% intellectual property of the design, holding 11 major technological breakthroughs and 114 optimization improvements, which increased the working capacity by 19%.

"Deepsea Yantai" has a total length of 106.75 meters, a width of 73.7 meters, the max draft is 21 meters, working water depth of 500 meters, and max drilling depth of 8,000 meters, the rig is tailor-made for Norwegian continental and Barents Sea. The rig fulfilled the world's most stringent Norsok standards, can well operated in minus 20 degree which meet the ice class notation, all the peripheral safety equipment of the rig have added anti-icing measures such as electric heating or windproof walls, the windproof wall is installed in the drilling area to ensure that the rig is capable of harsh environment operation. Beyond that, the rig configured the DP3 dynamic positioning system and the 8-point mooring system to fulfill different working conditions.

In March this year，CIMC RAFFLES are pleased to announce that Neptune Energy Norge has awarded “Deepsea Yantai” the drilling contract. “Deepsea Yantai” arrived smoothly and all preparations were finally completed on October 31st. After a rigorous evaluation of equipment by Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA), an AOC certificate (" Acknowledgement of Compliance ") was obtained.On November 1st, 2019, "Deepsea Yantai" reached the target area on time and started her first drilling.

The successful drilling has effectively enhanced the brand perception of CIMC Raffles and Ocean Challenger in the international mainstream offshore market, it is another self-proof of high-end offshore equipment which independently designed and built by China on the world stage.