In late June, Dr. Li Jinfa, Member of Leading Party Group, Deputy Director of China Geological Survey (CGS) and head of the leading group of Hydrate Producing Test Project, released the scientific investigation achievement about "Haima Cold Seep" for the first time in Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, China Geological Survey ( CGS ).

According to Li, CGS has carried out geological, geophysical investigation and scientific research on the continental slope system of northern South China Sea since 1999 and delineated a number of potential "cold seep" areas in the seafloor. In March 2015, the confirmatory survey was preferentially conducted in western marine area of Pearl River Mouth Basin with "Haima", an indigenous unmanned remote operated vehicle (ROV) with the maximum diving depth of 4,500m, and large active seafloor "cold seep" was discovered for the first time. Since it was the first time for "Haima" ROV to be used for marine geological survey after it was developed, the cold seep was named "Haima Cold Seep".

Li noted that as the largest active cold seep discovered in western marine area of the continental slope of northern South China Sea for the first time, "Haima Cold Seep" not only indicated that China achieved breakthrough in natural gas hydrate (NGH) resources exploration, but also meant important scientific research significance.