A crude oil inspector checks the oil transfer situation on a crude oil carrier at Xijiang 23-1 oilfield in the South China Sea on Jan 28, 2003.
The crude oil office of China Inspection and Quarantine Bureau at Shekou headed to Xijiang 23-1 oilfield in the South China Sea for a crude oil inspection task on June 9, 2012.
The destination was "offshore oil 115" FPSO (Floating Production Storage & Offloading), a large crude oil carrier with a deck the size of two soccer fields.
According to one of the workers in charge of cleaning the oil tank, life on board can be fresh and exciting for new employees but it is a difficult and boring job requiring a lot of perseverance.
The crude oil office of China Inspection and Quarantine Bureau at Shekou shoulders the task of inspecting 10 million tons of crude oil at the South China Sea oil field each year.[Photo/CFP]