China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline benefits all sides

[FarCenter]

16:26, December 15, 2009

The China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline starts from the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, runs through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and finally ends at Horgos City in China. It is a double-line pipeline, including line A and line B, and has a length of 1,833 kilometers. Line A was tested and put into operation at the beginning of December 2009. According to the project's construction plans, both lines will be completed and begin transporting natural gas in 2010.

After the natural gas imported from Turkmenistan reaches China, the gas will be transported to other provinces and cities including Shanghai and Guangzhou through the No. 2 pipeline of the west-east natural gas transportation project. Reporters learned that the No. 2 pipeline is 4,978 kilometers long, and is designed with an annual gas transportation capacity of 30 billion cubic meters.

The connection between the No. 2 pipeline and the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline can guarantee China a sufficient and steady natural gas supply. When interviewed by Chinese media, Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said that Turkmenistan will offer China 40 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually for the next 30 years.

The China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline and the No. 2 pipeline play important roles in optimizing the energy structure and improving the environment. It is predicted that after the No. 2 pipeline is completed and put into operation, the proportion of the natural gas consumption to primary energy consumption will rise by 1 to 2 percentage points. Compared to coal consumption, the annual 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas consumption can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 130 million tons per year.

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