China's Underwater Valve Realizes Localization and Breaks Foreign Technology Monopoly
A few days ago, CNOOC's Zhanjiang branch in Guangdong (referred to as Zhanjiang) announced that the two domestically produced underwater ball valves for the Nanhai Wenchang Gas Field Group Development Project have been successfully delivered and passed the acceptance inspection. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough in China’s efforts to localize underwater valve technology, breaking the long-standing foreign monopoly. As a result, procurement costs have dropped by over 40%, and delivery times have been drastically reduced.
Underwater valves are critical components of subsea production systems, which were first developed in the 1960s. These systems can be integrated with floating production platforms and other facilities to create various offshore oil and gas development models. Compared to traditional offshore platforms, subsea systems offer a more cost-effective solution, with lower investment requirements and less vulnerability to natural disasters. They are particularly well-suited for deepwater and marginal fields where conventional methods may not be feasible.
Unlike land-based valves, underwater valves must withstand extreme external water pressure, operate using ROVs (remote-operated vehicles) or hydraulic systems, and meet stringent standards for sealing and corrosion resistance. For years, these technologies were dominated by a handful of foreign companies, leaving China lagging in research and development. However, recent efforts by CNOOC have begun to change this landscape.
Faced with high import costs, long lead times, and limited maintenance support, CNOOC's "Three New and Three Chemicals" leadership office, along with the Ministry of Construction and other relevant departments, has prioritized the localization of underwater valves. This led to the decision to conduct trials and applications within the Wenchang Gas Field Group Development Project in the South China Sea.
The Wenchang Gas Field Group Development Project aims to develop the 9-2, 9-3, and 10-3 marginal gas fields. The area is characterized by deep waters, strong winds, and high waves, making it a challenging environment for operations. With limited infrastructure and high demand from downstream users, Zhanjiang decided to construct a new platform and an underwater production system, providing a crucial opportunity for domestic valve development.
The Wenchang project team at Zhanjiang and COOEC Engineering collaborated closely to study and refine the technical requirements for underwater valves. They organized expert reviews, selected local manufacturers, and guided them through prototype development, testing, and certification.
Throughout the localization process, the engineering teams identified key quality risks and worked diligently to overcome challenges. They implemented comprehensive quality control across design, materials, manufacturing, and testing stages. Together with manufacturers, they addressed issues such as corrosion resistance, pressure resistance, actuator performance, and valve reliability. The prototypes passed rigorous API tests, including performance, service life, and high-pressure chamber evaluations, and a complete set of technical documents and procedures were established for the design, selection, manufacture, and inspection of domestic underwater valves.
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