China-Russia LPG Land Passage Opens

The first two broad-gauge trains from the oil field in Irkusk Region, Russia, carrying 1,150 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), arrived at Manzhouli Far East Gas Co. Ltd's LPG in Northeast China reloading base via Manzhouli land port on Aug 28 and 30.

Their arrival was proof that the China-Russia LPG land passage has opened.

The LPG will be transported to chemical and civil enterprises by road and rail after reloading at the base.

It is estimated that by January in 2020, a total of 100,000 tons of Russian LPG will have been imported at the base.

The annual turn-over capacity of the first phase of the base is one million tons, which will relieve the problem of energy shortages and meet the demand for LPG in Northeast China.

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has worked with Russia in energy cooperation for years.

A main underwriter of Russian LPG, CNPC's Manzhouli PetroChina Kunlun Gas Co., Ltd in Northeast China has established close cooperation with all parties.

In December 2017, the company began importing Russia-produced LPG by road to supply energy to chemical enterprises.

In 2018, four kinds of LPG products had been provided to large-scale chemical companies. A mass trial supply started early this year by road transport.

China and Russia have different requirements in cross-border hazardous article transportation. Vehicle types, track gauges and management regulations differ between the two countries.

Manzhouli PetroChina Kunlun Gas Co., Ltd has organized a professional group to take charge of the LPG transportation on the 24-kilometer track in China.

(Executive editor: Zhang Tianyuan)