Chinese firm deploys high end equipment in Kingfisher

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China Oilfield Services Limited’s (COSL) independently developed Xuanji system, one of the high-end oil equipment in Uganda’s Kingfisher oilfield located at the shores of Lake Albert in Kikuube district.

This, according to those operating in the drilling phase, has made a major breakthrough in the Kingfisher oilfield in Uganda, completing 10 well operations, with a total footage of 30,858 meters and a total downhole time of more than 5,000 hours.

The achievement marks the large-scale application of the Xuanji system in Uganda, further demonstrating the strength of China's high-end equipment manufacturing. The Kingfisher oilfield is one of the country’s largest oilfields and a key energy cooperation project in Africa under the initiative.

According to Zhang Guanqi, a maintenance expert at COSL, the successful application of the Xuanji system in Uganda has demonstrated the efficiency of Chinese high-end technology in the drilling phase.

“With the technical support of the experts, the Uganda project team has now fully realized the high-level maintenance capabilities of the Xuanji instruments and can quickly and efficiently complete the maintenance of the instruments to ensure the use of the instruments in field operations,” Zhang said.

Xue Xinfang, general manager of COSL Uganda, praised the results of the cooperation, noting the importance of COSL’s strength in building a community with a shared future for China and Africa.

“The development of the Kingfisher oilfield is a key project of the "one Belt and one Road" initiative and this is why we are deploying new technologies to ease the process,” Xinfang says.

He also goes ahead to mention that following the high level summit between China and Africa that was held between 4th and 6th Sept. 2024 with a theme on Under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” this initiative continues to drive the enhancement of the Xuanji technology as it falls directly under one of the objectives  5.3.3 as an implementation of the  Belt and Road Action Plan for Science and Technology Innovation and the China-Africa Science and Technology Partnership Program 2.0.

About Xuanji Technology

The Xuanji system, a cutting-edge oil drilling technology, made its African debut in March 2024. It was customized and upgraded to address Kingfisher’s unique geological conditions. The system significantly enhanced well data accuracy and anti-interference capabilities.

The upgraded Xuanji system has reduced power consumption by 40% and increased maximum thrust by 70%, substantially improving drilling efficiency. It has received widespread attention and recognition from local oil companies in Uganda and international peers.

The Xuanji system represents a revolutionary breakthrough in China's oil exploration and development field showcasing the highest level of drilling technology development globally.

This achievement was made possible by China National Offshore Oil Corporation's commitment to the national innovation-driven development strategy and continuous investment in scientific and technological innovation.

The system’s capabilities include providing accurate downhole information under complex formation conditions and guiding the drill bit to the optimal trajectory.

Other developments

Yulin Zhang, chief expert at the Orientation Institute of COSL’s Oilfield Division, said the Xuan Ji system has been widely used in China’s sea and land areas since its commercial application in 2014.

He says it solves complex geological problems, including large-displacement horizontal wells and three-dimensional defense. As of 2024, the system has completed 2,024 well operations, with a cumulative footage of 1.83 million meters.

The Xuan Ji intelligent production line, launched on April 20, 2022, at Guangdong COSL Wantai Technology Co., integrates digitalization, intelligence, and comprehensiveness. It features over 200 large-scale precision CNC equipment, meeting the supply needs of Xuan Ji mass production with an annual capacity of 100 systems.

Wei Xi, general manager of COSL’s Oilfield Technology Division, said the production line has built a solid foundation for high-quality, large-scale, and efficient delivery of Xuan Ji supporting its global application.

COSL’s new technology has not only helped Uganda’s energy sector but also actively fulfilled its Corporate social responsibilities and provides operation and maintenance training for the new tools for its local employees both Ugandan and in its other counties of operation. This has improved their technical level and driven Uganda’s energy sector to another level bringing Uganda closer to her First Oil.

In addition, COSL adheres to environmental protection first, reduces carbon emissions, protects water resources and other environmental protection measures during project development, which has won unanimous veneration from the local authorities and the public.

In the future, COSL will continue to build a benchmark for energy cooperation along the one Belt and one Road initiative, through enhancing oil and gas technology capabilities, and jointly work hand in hand with Uganda’s Energy authorities along the route to create a better energy future and contribute greater strength to building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.