China surpasses 10,000km of subsea pipelines, boosting offshore energy network
Pipeline network is designed to be able to carry green fuels, offering China more flexibility in its transition towards clean energy
China has reached a major milestone in offshore energy infrastructure, with the total subsea pipeline network now exceeding 10,000km (6,213 miles), as the country accelerates efforts to explore offshore resources to meet its energy-security needs.
The milestone was achieved as the final section of a deep-sea pipeline was installed on Sunday in northern China’s Bohai Bay, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
As one of China’s largest offshore oil-production bases, Bohai Bay now hosts the country’s densest subsea pipeline network, with more than 3,200km (1,988 miles) of underwater oil and gas pipelines, the report said.
“The total subsea pipeline length is planned to exceed 13,000km by 2030, further strengthening the country’s offshore energy transport network,” the report said.
In the context of China’s energy transition, these pipelines are designed with the capacity to carry green fuels such as hydrogen and shale gas, offering greater flexibility for a diversified mix of cleaner energy.
Additionally, two deep-sea pipelines serving a natural gas field near the southern island province of Hainan have been put into operation this year, enabling interconnected subsea pipeline networks around the island, CCTV reported.