First section of Second Sichuan-to-East Gas Transmission Pipeline launched

China has launched the first section of the Second Sichuan-to-East Gas Transmission Pipeline, adding nearly 3 billion cubic meters of natural gas transmission capacity annually, said its operator China Oil & Gas Pipeline Network Corporation (PipeChina) on Monday.

The move marks an acceleration in the construction of this strategic energy structure and promote coordinated regional economic development, it said.

The project spans about 4,269 kilometers, covering eight provinces, namely Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, Zhejiang, and Fujian.

Upon completion, the pipeline will have an annual transmission capacity of 20 billion cubic meters, enabling interconnection with the country's major trunk pipelines. This will ensure the outward transmission of natural gas from the Sichuan Basin, address peak demand in central and eastern regions, and promote energy structure transformation along the route, it said.

The Sichuan Basin is one of China's main natural gas production areas, with proven natural gas geological reserves of nearly 3 trillion cubic meters.

In recent years, the company has focused on clearing bottlenecks in the interconnection of trunk pipelines in the southwest region, continuously improving the level of pipeline interconnection.

zhengxin@chnadaily.com.cn