A new high-tech natural gas pipeline connecting the Chinese mainland and Russia commenced operations on Monday, marking a significant milestone in energy cooperation between the two neighboring countries, according to the China Oil and Gas Pipeline Network Corporation (PipeChina).
The pipeline, boasting a capacity of 38 billion cubic meters per year, took nearly a decade to construct and stretches over 5,000 kilometers from northern China to the east coast. It is hailed by domestic media as the country’s first “world-level” pipeline.
Beginning in Heihe, a city in northeastern Heilongjiang Province bordering Russia, the pipeline winds its way through nine province-level regions before reaching the bustling metropolis of Shanghai. Its extensive reach is expected to enhance energy supply reliability and flexibility across eastern China.
“The launch of the pipeline significantly enhances gas supply reliability and flexibility in eastern China,” said Li Bo, a representative from PipeChina’s construction project management branch. “It will ensure sufficient gas supplies for the peak demand periods expanding from this winter to next spring.”
Beyond its impressive scale, the pipeline is also a showcase of advanced automation technology. It is the first in China to be equipped with explosion-proof rail-mounted inspection robots, which patrol key sections to ensure safety and efficiency. This high-tech approach not only improves operational safety but also represents a leap forward in the integration of technology within infrastructure projects.
The operationalization of this pipeline underscores the commitment of the Chinese mainland and Russia to deepening their energy collaboration, while also setting new standards for technological innovation in large-scale infrastructure.
Reference(s):
New, high-tech gas pipeline linking China and Russia operational
cgtn.com
