Natural gas from 28 fields of PetroChina's Tarim Oilfield is gathered, measured and dispatched daily from the Lunnan Oil and Gas Reserve Center in Luntai county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, flowing eastward as far as Shanghai.
The Lunnan Gas Station, known as the first station of the West-to-East gas pipelines, has been in full operation since December 2004.
To date, it has transmitted over 375.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas, including 8.5 billion cubic meters in the first five months of 2025 alone, according to the Tarim Oilfield.
"We currently transport around 60 million cubic meters of gas per day," said Liang Shijia, Lunnan site manager. "It's enough to meet the daily cooking and heating needs of 120 million households".
The gas supports more than 3,000 industrial enterprises and ensures stable energy for 400 million residents across 14 provinces, Liang added.
By capturing energy from pressure differentials during gas compression, the station powers itself and feeds surplus electricity into the grid, generating carbon-free electricity. And it was certified as China's first zero-carbon oil and gas facility in October 2023.
To enhance safety and efficiency, the station has embraced intelligent technologies.
Methane laser sensors are installed to monitor leaks around the clock, removing the need for overnight shifts. Inspection robots, designed for harsh desert conditions, now conduct daily checks, replacing the previous six manual patrols required each day.
"We used to inspect every four hours," Liang noted. "Now, with automation, we inspect once daily. It's safer and more efficient".
The West-to-East gas pipeline project now spans over 20,000 kilometers through four main lines. As its primary source, the Tarim Oilfield plays a vital role in powering eastern China and southern Xinjiang.
"People are paying more attention to what we do out here," said Qi Minghao, a worker at Tarim Oilfield. "We'll stay committed and work hard to fuel the country".
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