“Qualitatively new level”: Putin and Xi Jinping launched the Power of Siberia gas pipeline to China

On Monday, December 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping took part in a ceremony to launch Russian gas supplies to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline via a teleconference bridge.

“This step takes Russian-Chinese strategic cooperation in the energy sector to a qualitatively new level, brings us closer to solving the task set together with Chinese President Xi Jinping to bring bilateral trade to $ 200 billion in 2024,” Putin said.

The 30-year contract for the supply of "blue fuel" to China was signed in 2014. According to the President of Russia, this is the largest such agreement in the history of the gas industry of the Russian Federation.

“Over 30 years, over 1 trillion cubic meters of gas will be delivered to China through the Power of Siberia gas pipeline,” Putin emphasized.

According to Xi Jinping, the opening of the “Power of Siberia” takes the interaction between Russia and China to a new stage. He believes that safety, reliability and environmental considerations will be the basis for the further operation of this gas pipeline.

“President Putin and I together announced the development of Sino-Russian relations, comprehensive partnerships and strategic interaction, which are entering a new era. And they agreed that the development of Sino-Russian relations is and will be a priority foreign policy of each of our countries, ”Xi Jinping emphasized.

The volume of work done indicates the high quality of relations between Russia and China, convinced the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy Igor Anansky.

“First, a long-term contract was signed, then a huge pipeline was built, and today deliveries have begun. This indicates the quality of the relationship. The Chinese side receives cheap Russian gas. Russia, on the other hand, is gaining new sales opportunities that we did not pay attention to before, working more with Europe, ”he told RT.

According to the deputy, the opening of the gas pipeline opens up great opportunities for Russia in the Asian market.

“Now, with the opening of the Power of Siberia, we are also discovering a huge Asian market in which we have great prospects. I think this is only the beginning, ”Ananskikh emphasized.

“Further volumes will increase”

The Power of Siberia is a joint project of Gazprom and the China National Petroleum and Gas Corporation (CNPC). Its construction began in 2014. Gas filling began in late August this year.

The gas pipeline originates from the Kovykta field, then passes through the Chayandinskoye field, after which it reaches the Amur gas processing plant and crosses the Chinese border.

Thus, its total length only over the territory of Russia is about 3 thousand km. The annual design capacity is 38 billion cubic meters of gas. However, the first six months, pumping will take place in commissioning mode, and the Power of Siberia will have to reach full capacity in 2025.

“This is the first eastern direction that allows the transfer of such significant volumes. Ultimately, the project should reach its maximum volume by 2025. So far, only the first cubic meters of gas have gone, volumes will increase further, ”said Sergey Pikin, director of the Energy Development Fund in an interview with RT.

At the same time, construction was carried out in severe climatic conditions - along its route there are areas with permafrost, marshy and seismically active. And the absolute temperature minimum, for example, on a site in Yakutia, is up to -62 ° C.

“In difficult climatic conditions in Yakutia, a new gas production center was created from scratch. The Chayandinskoye field, unique in its size, is being developed, Putin said. “I sincerely thank the engineers, builders, all employees of Gazprom, the China National Oil and Gas Corporation, and row organizations for their high professionalism and excellent work, which was done ahead of schedule.”

“May have an effect on the development of production”

It is worth noting that the “Power of Siberia” also implies the development of the Russian Far Eastern regions. Gazprom noted that it creates opportunities to accelerate gasification and the development of industries related to this industry.

The development of related industries is also predicted by the leading expert of the Center for Political Technologies, economist Nikita Maslennikov.

“Around the gas pipeline, associated production of gas liquefaction and processing, gas chemistry, and deposits may arise. In general, this is such a project, which, with an integrated approach, can have an effect on the development of the mass of production associated with it, ”he told RT.

Another source of economic growth in the Far East, Nikita Maslennikov sees Chinese investment, for which the "Power of Siberia" can serve as a signal of the long-term relationship between Moscow and Beijing.

“The launch of the gas pipeline could be a breakthrough in terms of the interests of Chinese business and Chinese companies in these same regions. Thus, we once again give a signal to our partners from the Pacific region that we are serious about entering this promising center of economic power for many decades to come, ”the analyst emphasized.