China plans to expand oil and gas pipeline networks

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China plans to increase its oil and natural gas pipelines in the coming years as the world's largest energy consumer moves to secure stable supplies and clean up the coal-dominated energy mix.

The expansion plan was announced Wednesday in a document jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration.

The country's pipeline networks will stretch to 169,000 km by 2020, with those for crude, refined oil and natural gas at 32,000 km, 33,000 km and 104,000 km, respectively, according to the document.

Pipelines for refined oil will reach all cities with a population of 1 million or above, while those with more than half a million residents will have access to pipelines for natural gas.

The oil and gas pipeline networks ensure steady energy flows from foreign sources to the country and from remote border areas to prosperous inland cities.

China's pipeline networks will stretch to 169,000 km by 2020. / CFP Photo

China's appetite for energy, and in particular cleaner sources, is on the rise.

Around 4.36 billion tonnes of standard coal-produced energy was consumed last year, up 1.4 percent year on the previous year.

The government believes improved oil and gas networks will help safeguard energy security, reduce costs and stimulate investment.

Energy imports from countries along the Belt and Road route will be boosted with the construction of more pipelines.

The plan highlighted projects with Russia, Myanmar and Central Asian countries, and said more import projects will be initiated.

Steady supplies of oil and gas will help the country wean itself off its reliance on dirty coal, which, although falling, still accounted for more than 60 percent of the energy structure.

(Source: Xinhua)