SLB’s (NYSE: SLB) joint venture, OneSubsea™, has secured a major multi-well engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract from China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) for the Kaiping 18-1 field in the South China Sea.
The contract covers integrated subsea production systems for 20 wells, marking a significant step in the continued collaboration between SLB and CNOOC on deepwater development projects.
The Kaiping 18-1 field is a key investment aimed at enhancing China’s domestic offshore production capacity.
Under the new agreement, SLB OneSubsea will deliver a fully integrated package of subsea technology, including standardised dual electric submersible pump (ESP), gas lift and gas injection horizontal trees, manifolds, connectors, and control systems.
The contract also includes installation and commissioning support to ensure efficient start-up and operation of the field.
“This award highlights the continued adoption of our standardised subsea systems, and the efficiency gains they can deliver on complex multi‑well projects,” said Mads Hjelmeland, chief executive officer of SLB OneSubsea.
“By applying proven designs and working closely with regional partners, we can help streamline execution and support effective delivery for CNOOC.”
The project leverages OneSubsea’s standardised and simplified subsea architecture, which is specifically engineered to minimise system complexity and improve operational performance.
This approach enables operators to accelerate subsea developments by reducing design variability, enhancing reliability, and allowing for future field expansion with minimal disruption.
By deploying prequalified and repeatable subsea components, OneSubsea aims to help CNOOC achieve lower total lifecycle costs while maintaining high system integrity and adaptability.
The concept is central to SLB’s strategy of introducing scalable solutions that meet increasing demand for efficiency in offshore operations.
A central feature of the Kaiping 18-1 project is its integrated delivery model, designed to compress installation schedules and reduce offshore vessel time.
This not only contributes to operational efficiency but also supports environmental and safety objectives by limiting offshore exposure and logistical requirements.
Project execution will involve close collaboration with regional partners, emphasising in-country manufacturing and supply chain participation.
This model aligns with China’s broader initiative to strengthen local industrial capabilities in high-value energy technology sectors.
The initiative is expected to support continued investment in subsea infrastructure and enhance regional expertise for future developments.
The Kaiping 18-1 project further solidifies SLB OneSubsea’s role as a leading provider of integrated subsea systems for global offshore developments.
The company’s integrated EPC approach, under a unified delivery framework, is increasingly viewed as a model for efficient deepwater project execution.
As deepwater fields like Kaiping 18-1 become more central to energy supply strategies, SLB’s technology-first approach positions it to play an ongoing role in advancing production efficiency, system reliability, and regional collaboration throughout the Asia-Pacific offshore sector.