China: China ramps up oil, gas pipeline construction to secure energy supply.

Storyline China ramps up oil, gas pipeline construction to secure energy supply China is accelerating the construction of major oil and gas infrastructure projects this year. In northeast China's Jilin Province, the final weld of the Hulin-Changchun natural gas pipeline project has passed inspection. One of the project managers says the entire line will be operational soon. Yang Jiyong, Manager, Changchun project branch, Construction Project Management Company, China Oil and Gas Pipeline Network Corporation (PipeChina): "Currently, the main construction of the nine stations along the Hulin-Changchun pipeline has been completed, with the project's overall progress exceeding 90 percent. The entire line is expected to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2026." Meanwhile the second phase of the Sichuan-to-East Gas Transmission Pipeline, is also picking up. Tunnel excavation and pipeline welding are proceeding simultaneously, with a plan to weld 1,000 kilometers this year. Gao Jun, Manager, Chongqing project branch, PipeChina Construction Project Management Company: "Upon completion, second phase of the Sichuan-to-East Gas Transmission Pipeline will open up an eastern transmission corridor for natural gas from the Sichuan Basin, bolster gas supply to the Yangtze River Economic Belt, connect inland gas fields with coastal LNG receiving terminals, improve the national natural gas backbone pipeline network, and significantly enhance supply security and peak-shaving capabilities." The main line of the Zhundong coal-to-natural gas pipeline, which started construction in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region last year, is the outbound pipeline for China's largest coal-to-natural gas production base and it has completed welding on 118 kilometers. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]