CNPC strengthens marine oil engineering business.

China Petroleum First Construction Company (CPFCC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), has signed a contract with Norwegian SeaMetric International AS and Jingjiang Nanyang Shipyard for the construction of the first twin marine lifter (TML) vessel, with a capacity of 20 000 tons. The contract valued at RMB500 million.

Under the contract, CPFCC will be responsible for the overall project management, construction of the TML lift arm system and for assembly and testing of the complete TML system.

The vessel will be operational in the third quarter of 2009.

SeaMetric International AS is an international player in the offshore heavy lift market by owning and managing the heavy lift system TML. Its CEO Johan F Andresen expresses that SeaMetric will set up offices in China to expand its business.