China has completed the first geophysical prospecting project in a 10,000-plus-square-kilometer region of sea water at the equator, marking another technological milestone in China's oil industry.

The project in Gabon was conducted by China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) after the completion of a geophysical prospecting program of more than 5,400 square kilometers in Barents in 2016. Both programs aimed to create 3D seismic images. The consecutive service of the prospecting vessels proved their capability of working under extreme weather conditions.

The prospecting results would show the structural picture of the seabed and help pave the way for the development of oil reserve under the sea.

The company spent five months on the project in Gabon, the longest surveying time ever for the Chinese ships. The ships were able to map 89.1 square kilometers at a time, with 12 cables stretching over 8,000 meters under sea. The largest area surveyed in one day was 116.14 square kilometers.

According to Qi Meisheng, CEO of COSL, the completion of the project at the equator has proven that China is capable of supporting the oil industry—at a time when the Belt and Road Initiative gradually goes into action.