Norwegian-flagged Viking 2, a 3D
seismic conducting vessel, which had its exploration cables damaged by a
Chinese ship in Vietnam’s
exclusive economic zone on Thursday, kept a detailed journal of the events that
unfolded.

Petrovietnam
Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) hired the Viking 2, manufactured by
French Global Provider of Geophysical Services and Equipment CGG Veritas, to
explore Vietnam’s
continental shelf.

PTSC and
CGG Veritas have established a joint-venture enterprise to use 2D and 3D
seismic conducting vessels to search for gas and oil within Vietnam’s
exclusive economic zone.

Viking 2
had been asked by Talisaman Energy Corporation of Canada,
which was given permission to conduct exploration in Vietnam’s
territory by PetroVietnam, to explore for oil in plot 136-3D in Vietnam’s
continental shelf.

The red and
white Viking 2 vessel is 93.35 meters long with a 5 meter long waterline. It
has eight exploration cables, each 6,000 meters long.

May 29 and 31: Viking 2 was harassed by Chinese
boats while it was conducting seismic surveys for Japan’s
Idemitsu Corporation at the plot 05-1D located in Vietnam’s continental shelf.

June 9:

Afternoon.
In a telephone interview with Tuoi Tre, Nguyen Hung Dung, general director of
PTSC said, “The actions in which the Chinese fishing boat 6226 violated Vietnam’s sea
sovereignty and cruised over the Viking 2’s bow were deliberate and well
planned.”

6:00 p.m.
An official of PTSC told Tuoi Tre that at 12:00 a.m. on June 9, some of Viking
2’s exploration cables that were damaged when they became tangled in
specialized cable-cutting equipment belonging to Chinese ship numbered 6226 had
successfully been fixed.

Another
official of PTSC said, “Such intentional actions by China showed that 6226 is not a
normal fishing boat. It’s possible that the ship had been required to hinder
Vietnamese ship’s normal operations.”

Viking 2’s
journal (provided by PetroVietnam):

June 8:

7 a.m.
Coast guard ships Van Hoa 737 and 731 reported seeing 15 Chinese-flagged
fishing boats catching fish within Vietnam’s continental shelf.

8:45 a.m.
Van Hoa 737 approached the Chinese boat numbered 80105 and sent a warning
signal in Chinese saying that the Chinese ship violated Vietnam’s sea sovereignty.

9:35 a.m.
Chinese fishery admin ship numbered 303 told Van Hoa 737 they would leave the
area within the next 3 to 4 hours. They said they had a problem with the ship’s
rudder and it was taking a long time to fix. After being informed, Van Hoa 737
waited for them to leave.

11:00 a.m.
Van Hoa 737 received a signal from Chinese fishery admin ship 303 that it would
leave the area. However, after a few minutes it announced it has the right to
fish in the area, and added if Van Hoa had any questions, it could contact
their government (China).

11:30 a.m.
An unknown airplane flew above Van Hoa 737 and Chinese boats at a very low
height. It left the area 10 minutes later.

12:00 a.m.
Viking 2 vessel changed its plans of conducting seismic surveys in order to
avoid Chinese fishing boats.

2:50 p.m.
Some Chinese fishing boats ran in front of Van Hoa 737, then changed direction
to move north.

8:30 p.m.
Coast guard ship CRI was on duty to protect the Viking 2, which was followed by
Chinese fishing boats. Viking 2 began to survey again.

June 9:

6:00 a.m.
When Viking 2 was exploring for oil at 6o47’5”N, 109o17’5”E, which lies within
Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf, Chinese ship 6226
cruised over the Viking 2’s bow and sped up. Viking 2’s exploration cables then
became tangled in the specialized cable-cutting equipment belonging to the
Chinese ship, damaging the cables. The 6226 had its propeller broken. It was
drifting behind Viking 2 for some hours.

8:20 a.m.
Viking 2 escaped from the pursuit of Chinese boats. Viking 2 began repairing
its equipment and planned to exit the area.

Source: Tuoi Tre