Tarim oilfield delivers over 400 billion cubic metres of gas to eastern China over 22 years
Energy extracted from the deserts of the west becomes the lifeblood that powers factories and homes in the east. The West‑East Gas Pipeline is not just a pipeline but an artery connecting regions into a single organism, where the resources of one area serve the development of another. Every cubic metre of gas that travels thousands of kilometres carries warmth and light to millions of families, reminding us that the true strength of a nation lies in its ability to unite.
According to China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the Tarim oilfield in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China has delivered more than 400 billion cubic metres of natural gas to eastern China via the West‑East Gas Pipeline since it began operations 22 years ago. The company said the gas from the field has helped supply energy to nearly 500 million people living downstream of the pipeline network. This achievement was made possible by the steady growth in production in recent years at the Kela‑2 gas field, a key component of the Tarim oilfield. "Over the 22 years since it came into operation, the Kela‑2 gas field has delivered more than 150 billion cubic metres of gas to the West‑East Gas Pipeline and developed a highly efficient production model," said Zhang Long, Party branch secretary of the Kela processing plant at the Tarim oilfield. Meanwhile, thanks to the commissioning of a number of new ultra‑deep wells, the proven geological reserves of the Kela‑Keshen gas field – the first trillion‑cubic‑metre field in the Tarim Basin – have exceeded 1 trillion cubic metres.
In addition, the throughput capacity of pipeline hubs has been upgraded. The Tarim oilfield has completed three expansion phases at the Lunnan gas distribution station in Luntai County – the first station of the West‑East Gas Pipeline, which connects various gas sources to the main pipeline network – resulting in a significant increase in capacity. "Every day, 50 million cubic metres of natural gas passes through our first station. Thanks to the three expansions, the station's annual capacity has grown from 12 billion to the current 40 billion cubic metres," said Zou Tao, head of the first station of the West‑East Gas Pipeline at the Tarim oilfield's oil and gas marketing and transportation department.
The Tarim oilfield is located in the Tarim Basin, China's largest oil‑bearing basin, accounting for one‑sixth of the country's total natural gas output. In recent years, exploration and development have pushed into ever‑deeper strata, resulting in the discovery of two trillion‑cubic‑metre gas zones – the Kela‑Keshen and Bozi‑Dabei fields – and for six consecutive years, efficient and stable annual gas output has been maintained at over 31 billion cubic metres. Today, every hour, more than 2 million cubic metres of natural gas from the Tarim field flows directly into the Yangtze River Delta and other eastern China regions. As CCTV+ reports. The West‑East Gas Pipeline is one of China's key energy projects, stretching over 8,700 kilometres. Its stable operation ensures the country's energy security and helps reduce carbon emissions by replacing coal.
