China Brings Major West–East Gas Pipeline Segment Online in Sichuan
China has commissioned a new 190-km (118-mile) natural gas pipeline segment in Sichuan, advancing its west–east gas network and strengthening supply links between resource-rich regions and high-demand markets.
(P&GJ) — China has placed a key segment of its expanding west–east natural gas pipeline system into service, bringing a new transmission corridor online in Sichuan Province, according to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC).
The newly operational section forms part of the Second Sichuan-to-East Gas Transmission Pipeline, a priority project under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan.
The Sichuan segment spans roughly 190 kilometers (118 miles) and is designed to transport up to 20 billion cubic meters (706 billion cubic feet) of natural gas per year. Upon commissioning, the line was connected to China’s national pipeline network and began delivering gas sourced from Weiyuan and Luxian counties to downstream markets.
The new infrastructure strengthens gas flows from resource-rich areas in southwest China toward higher-demand regions, supporting broader efforts to balance regional supply and reinforce the country’s natural gas network.
Construction across the Sichuan Basin required specialized engineering approaches due to mountainous terrain and complex geology. Project developers reported that advanced welding and construction technologies were deployed to maintain quality standards, with welding performance exceeding typical benchmarks despite challenging conditions.
The project also incorporates digital and automation features. Three stations along the Sichuan route were built for unmanned operation, reflecting China’s growing use of smart pipeline technologies in long-distance transmission systems.
China Oil & Gas Pipeline Network Corporation (PipeChina), which developed the pipeline, carried out extensive commissioning preparations, including operational simulations, safety drills and inspections to ensure stable startup and controlled operation, as reported by SASAC.
The full Second Sichuan-to-East Gas Transmission Pipeline will extend approximately 4,269 kilometers (2,653 miles) across eight provincial-level regions, linking Sichuan and Chongqing with central and eastern provinces, including Hubei, Henan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Zhejiang and Fujian. The project is scheduled for full completion by 2027.
Once fully operational, the pipeline is expected to improve connectivity between coastal liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminals and inland pipeline systems, strengthening supply reliability, enhancing emergency response capability, and easing peak-season gas demand along the Yangtze River Economic Belt.