The China Russia East Gas Pipeline was fully connected on December 2nd, marking a crucial progress in the field of energy cooperation between China and Russia. Its significance goes beyond simple pipeline connectivity, but involves far-reaching layout and breakthroughs in energy strategy, economic cooperation, and technological innovation.

1. Overview and Strategic Significance of Pipeline Construction

The China Russia East Gas Pipeline, as an important part of China’s four major energy strategic channels, the Northeast Passage, starts from Heihe in Heilongjiang Province in the north and ends in Shanghai in the south, passing through 9 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government. It has a total length of 5111 kilometers and is divided into three sections: Heihe in Heilongjiang Province to Changling in Jilin Province, Changling in Jilin Province to Yongqing in Hebei Province, and Yongqing in Hebei Province to Shanghai. Since the Heilongjiang Heihe Jilin Changling section was first put into operation in December 2019, the natural gas transported has increased from 5 billion cubic meters in the first year to 30 billion cubic meters in 2024. Now, after the full line is connected, it achieves full load operation of 38 billion cubic meters per year. It is the first natural gas pipeline project in China to adopt a super large diameter of 1422mm, X80 high steel grade, 12 megapascal high pressure rating, and world-class level. It is also the first intelligent pipeline model project in China, and all key equipment has been localized.

From a strategic perspective, this pipeline holds irreplaceable importance for both China and Russia. For China, the growth of its energy demand has made diversification of energy import channels an inevitable choice. China is the world’s largest natural gas import market, and according to the International Energy Agency’s forecast, by 2024, China’s natural gas demand will account for over 40% of the total global demand

The China Russia East Gas Pipeline provides reliable and diversified energy support for China’s rapid urbanization process and green transformation goals, helping to reduce dependence on maritime transportation routes and mitigate the risk of energy supply disruptions caused by maritime blockades. For example, during the China US trade war and fluctuations in US LNG export policies, the pipeline’s key role in ensuring energy security has been highlighted. For Russia, facing the dilemma of losing traditional European markets due to factors such as the Ukraine crisis, the “Look East” strategy has been effectively implemented through this channel. This pipeline has become an important lifeline for Russia’s energy exports, helping it expand into the Asian market, alleviate economic pressure caused by the decline in European market share, and provide opportunities for developing natural gas fields in the Far East and promoting local economic and social development.

2. Pipeline planning for crossing Mongolia

Details of the “Siberian Power 2” Plan

As early as 2006, Gazprom and PetroChina signed a framework agreement for pipeline projects, including the “Siberian Power 2” pipeline project. The pipeline is planned to pass through Mongolia and deliver up to 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China annually. However, as of now, its construction work has not yet started, and both parties are still negotiating specific terms. With Russia’s contraction in the European market, “Siberian Power 2” has become a key focus of the Russian government, seen as a key measure to compensate for economic losses and expand energy exports.

Siberian Power 2 is not only a commercial opportunity, but also a symbol of Russia’s international influence. But the project faces many complex factors, and price competition has become one of the core issues. China, relying on its huge market size, occupies a favorable position in terms of prices, payment methods, and investment conditions. Russia hopes to explore new markets and consolidate its position in the global energy supply chain through pipeline construction. In addition, Mongolia’s role in this cannot be ignored. Its released National Development Plan 2024-2028 did not mention this project, and there is even a possibility of delay, which brings more variables to the progress of the project. The natural gas cooperation between China and Russia demonstrates the strategic synergy between the two countries in the face of Western pressure. Although China maintains a neutral position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the strengthening of energy cooperation has sent a signal to the outside world that Asian countries seek ways of survival and development in the context of Western sanctions and blockades.

3. Analysis of Key Pipeline Technologies

Ultra large caliber and high-grade steel pipeline technology

The China Russia East Gas Pipeline adopts 1422mm ultra large caliber and X80 high-grade steel pipeline technology, which is at the forefront of the world pipeline engineering field. Ultra large diameter pipelines can significantly increase the transportation capacity of natural gas and meet the demand for large-scale energy transmission. X80 high-grade steel material has excellent characteristics such as high strength and toughness, and can withstand high pressure levels of 12 megapascals, ensuring safe and stable operation of pipelines in high-pressure environments. This technological combination not only improves the transportation efficiency of pipelines, but also reduces construction and operating costs, while reducing resource consumption such as land occupation during pipeline construction, reflecting the engineering concept of high efficiency and environmental protection.

Application of Intelligent Pipeline Technology

As the first intelligent pipeline model project in China, the China Russia East Gas Pipeline utilizes a series of advanced intelligent technologies. Real time monitoring and intelligent management of pipeline operation status have been achieved through sensor networks, data transmission systems, and intelligent analysis platforms. For example, it can accurately measure and monitor parameters such as pressure, temperature, and flow inside pipelines, timely detect abnormal situations such as pipeline leaks and blockages, and conduct risk assessment and early warning through intelligent algorithms, providing comprehensive guarantees for the safe operation of pipelines. In addition, intelligent pipeline technology can optimize the transportation scheduling of pipelines, dynamically adjust the natural gas flow distribution according to the gas demand in different regions, improve energy utilization efficiency, reduce operational risks, and demonstrate the trend and advantages of intelligent development of modern pipeline engineering.

4. The impact of pipeline connectivity on regional and global energy patterns

After the full line is connected, the natural gas pipeline of the China Russia East Line will be interconnected with the Northeast Pipeline Network, Shaanxi Beijing Pipeline System, West East Gas Pipeline System, and multiple liquefied natural gas receiving stations along the coast, providing reliable gas supply guarantee for more than 450 million people in 9 provinces, regions and cities, greatly enhancing the natural gas supply capacity and emergency peak shaving guarantee capability in the eastern region of China. In the regional energy supply system, this pipeline has become a key gas source supplement channel, optimizing the allocation of energy resources in the region, improving the stability and reliability of energy supply, promoting the coordinated development of the regional energy market, promoting the optimization and upgrading of regional energy consumption structure, and helping China better balance the energy supply and demand relationship and reduce the risk of energy supply shortage in the process of energy transformation.

From the perspective of the global energy landscape, the connection of the China Russia East Gas Pipeline and the successful completion of the future “Siberian Power 2” pipeline will significantly change the energy landscape of the Eurasian continent. The focus of Russia’s energy exports will further shift eastward, strengthening close ties with Asian markets, especially China, which will weaken the traditional dominant position of the European market in Russia’s energy exports and promote a shift in global energy trade flows. Meanwhile, as the world’s largest natural gas import market, China’s deep energy cooperation with Russia will also have a profound impact on the global natural gas pricing mechanism, further enhancing Asia’s position in global energy consumption and economic activities, injecting new impetus and variables into the reconstruction of the global energy market order, and promoting the development of the global energy supply system towards multipolarity and diversification.

In summary, the full completion of the China Russia East Gas Pipeline and its related energy cooperation projects have significant value and far-reaching influence in terms of strategic significance, technological innovation, and reshaping the regional and global energy landscape. With the advancement and development of subsequent projects, it will continue to play a key role on the international energy stage, becoming a landmark model in the process of global energy cooperation and development, and providing rich reference experience and inspiration for countries in energy strategic planning, cross-border energy cooperation, and other aspects.

Article source: www.xianjichina.com

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