06-09-04

According to the CCTV since the first station of the west-to-east natural gas transfer project successfully received gas natural gas from Xinjiang Tarim has been rushing toward the west terminal in Shannxi Jingbian station at a speed of 18 km per hour.

In several days the natural gas has successfully passed the Taklamakan Desert, the Gobi desert, the depopulated region and the Hexi Corridor. Along the Qilian Mountains and passing through the Yellow River Irrigation area it would reach Shannxi Jingbian after travelling 2,500 km. Then it would be linked to the east line that has been completed to realize full-line flow.

The west-to-east natural gas transfer project started in July 2002. With Shannxi Jingbian as the linking point it is divided into the west line and the east line. The east line has been put to commercial operation.
According to plan the whole west-to-east natural gas transfer project will be put into production by October 1 and then into commercial operation by October 1, 2005.

Source: People's Daily Online