Russia plans to build second gas pipeline to China
The idea of a second “Power of Siberia” gas pipeline has been discussed for several years to increase Russia’s energy export capabilities to China.
Russian gas giant Gazprom said on May 18 that it is conducting a feasibility study on a project to build a second gas pipeline to China, thereby doubling the volume of gas that Gazprom can supply to the country.
“The goal is to connect Russia's western and eastern gas transport infrastructure,” Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying.
The idea of a second “Power of Siberia” gas pipeline has been discussed for several years to increase Russia’s energy export capabilities to China.
The more than 2,000km Russian section of the first “Power of Siberia” line was inaugurated in late 2019 and will be able to transport up to 38 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Shanghai when the Chinese section is completed in 2022 or 2023.
While the first pipeline connects to gas fields in eastern Russia, the new pipeline will likely connect to gas fields in the west of the country, such as the Yamal Peninsula.
Although Mr. Miller did not mention the expected construction date of the new pipeline, he said it could transport up to 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year and could pass through Mongolia.
In 2014, China and Russia signed a 30-year gas supply agreement with an estimated contract value of 400 billion USD./.