Chinese government confirms successful second trial mining of gas hydrates in territorial waters

The Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources has confirmed that the second round of trial mining of natural gas hydrates in the country’s territorial waters has been successfully completed.

The mining activities were carried by non-profit China Geological Survey in the waters of the South China Sea just off the town of Shenhu in Fujian province. The mining reached water depths of up to 1,225 metres.

The CIMC Raffles ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling platform Bluewhale II was utilised for the second round of trial mining, which lasted 30 days and concluded on March 18.