New EPC contract for OneSubsea, this time offshore China

March 17, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has awarded OneSubsea, a joint venture backed by SLB, Aker Solutions and Subsea7, with an integrated engineering, production, and construction (EPC) contract for subsea production systems for a deepwater field development.

The contract encompasses 20 wells and will see OneSubsea deliver standardized subsea production technology that includes dual electric submersible pump (ESP), gas lift and gas injection horizontal trees, manifolds, connectors, and control systems, together with installation and commissioning support for the deepwater Kaiping 18-1 field development in the South China Sea.

According to SLB, the subsea architecture is designed to reduce system complexity, drive operational efficiencies, and support future field expansions, with the integrated delivery model helping compress installation schedules and minimize offshore vessel requirements.

The project will be performed in collaboration with regional partners to support in-country manufacturing and supply-chain capability.

“This award highlights the continued adoption of our standardized 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.”

To remind, CNOOC made the Kaiping South oilfield discovery at the beginning of 2024, stating at the time that it added over a hundred million tons of oil equivalent proved in-place volume. The oilfield is located at an average water depth of approximately 500 meters.

As for OneSubsea, this is its third EPC contract announcement in the last 30 days, after having revealed work with Norwegian state-owned energy firm Equinor to upgrade the subsea compression system for the Gullfaks field in the North Sea, as well as its latest contract with PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), Thailand’s national oil & gas player, covering a deepwater project offshore Malaysia.

The company also revealed earlier this month that it was looking to expand its technology and research and development (R&D) capabilities with the acquisition of the subsea business of Norway-based Envirex Group.