Gas volume delivered via Central Asia-China pipeline exceeds 200 billion cubic meters
By Kamila Aliyeva
The total volume of gas delivered to China via the Central Asia-China gas pipeline reached 200 billion cubic meters as of November 29, 2017, according to the Chinese National Oil and Gas Corporation.
The gas pipeline connecting the countries of Central Asia with China is a strategic project, extremely important for ensuring the country's energy security and promoting energy transformation, the corporation noted.
According to calculations, 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas are equivalent to 266 million tons of coal.
The gas pipeline provides gas supply to more than 300 million residents of 27 Chinese provinces, cities of central subordination and districts, as well as the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong.
In addition, the implementation of the project allowed to create about 10,000 jobs in the countries through which the pipeline passes.
Currently, there are three lines of the Central Asia-China gas pipeline - A, B and C. The combined capacity of these pipelines is 55 billion cubic meters per year. China and Turkmenistan agreed on a framework to provide China with a long-term supply of gas in 2006, after several rounds of negotiations and feasibility studies.
The first of these pipelines was completed in 2009 the second followed a year later. The third pipeline became operational in 2014, after taking two years to build.
This gas pipeline runs through the territory of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and crosses the Kazakh-Chinese border through Khorgos (Xinjiang-Uygur Autonomous Region, North-West China).
Construction of a fourth pipeline, Line D, is currently underway. It will connect Beyneu on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea to the central facility of Shymkent. From Shymkent the gas will be directed to Turpan in Xinjiang, China. Line D will provide China with an additional 15 billion cubic metres on top of the 55 billion it already imports from Turkmenistan.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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