October 18, 2025
Development Characteristics of Natural Gas Pipeline Valves and Current Status of Natural Gas in China
I. Current Status and Future Prospects of China's Natural Gas Industry
As China continues its long-term high-speed economic growth, the demand for energy has surged, alongside rising public expectations for living standards and environmental quality. In response, the government has placed significant emphasis on natural gas, a clean, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy source. Major projects such as the West-East Gas Pipeline, the East-West Gas Transmission, and the import of Russian natural gas have underscored the strategic importance of natural gas in China’s energy mix.
China Gas has established 46 joint ventures across over a dozen provinces along the East-West Gas Pipeline and the East Sichuan Gas Pipeline, investing in more than 50 pipeline projects. This number is expected to grow as the company expands its market presence. The successful completion of the West-East Gas Pipeline project has significantly upgraded China’s natural gas infrastructure and laid the foundation for a national pipeline network.
Since the start of the West-East Gas Pipeline Project, China’s pipeline construction has gradually reached international standards. It now focuses on long-distance, large-diameter, high-pressure, and highly automated systems, providing a solid base for the rapid development of the natural gas industry.
The West-East Gas Pipeline stretches from Lunan in Xinjiang, passing through 10 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, with a total length of approximately 4,000 kilometers. Designed to transport 12 billion cubic meters annually, it currently transports around 17 billion cubic meters. Two major underground gas storage facilities are being constructed in the middle and lower reaches.
This pipeline traverses challenging terrains such as the Gobi Desert, the Loess Plateau, and the Taihang Mountains, crossing rivers like the Yellow River, Huaihe River, and Yangtze River. It is currently the largest diameter, thickest-walled, and highest-pressure pipeline in China, setting numerous domestic records and achieving remarkable milestones in high-speed pipeline construction.
With its completion, the West-East Gas Pipeline has elevated China’s overall pipeline construction level, paving the way for a comprehensive national pipeline network. Looking ahead, China plans to leverage this project to develop its natural gas resources across eastern, central, western, offshore, and terrestrial regions. The country is actively pursuing a "going global" strategy, importing natural gas from other countries, and improving its pipeline network plan.
Efforts are underway to build a nationwide five-horizontal and two-vertical natural gas trunk network, including main pipelines, gas storage facilities, booster stations, and branch lines. This will ultimately create a diversified supply pattern, featuring west-east transmission from Lunan to Shanghai, north-to-south gas flow, coastal and air-landed gas supplies, and regional networks in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, Northwest, and the Two Lakes areas.
II. Characteristics of Natural Gas Pipeline Valves
As the natural gas pipeline industry grows, the demand for pipeline valves increases. These valves differ from general-purpose valves in several key aspects:
First, material selection is critical. Natural gas often contains hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic and corrosive gas that can damage equipment. Even after desulfurization, residual hydrogen sulfide remains. Therefore, anti-sulfur materials must be used to ensure durability.
Second, leakage control is essential. Most natural gas pipelines run near urban areas, where maintenance is limited. Due to their length and complex routes, any leakage could lead to serious accidents. As a result, gas valves require strict sealing, often using welded body structures. Sealing materials like PTFE, nylon, NBR, and VITON are widely used for their corrosion resistance and wear resistance.
Third, reliability is crucial. Once installed, pipelines operate continuously for years without interruption. Unlike industrial plants, they serve thousands of users, including households, businesses, and factories. A valve failure could have catastrophic consequences. Thus, mainline valves must last over 30 years, with durable components like valve seats.
Fourth, drive mechanisms must handle high pressure and large diameters. Electric, pneumatic, or electro-hydraulic actuators are commonly used, with explosion-proof ratings (EExdIIBT4) and IP68 protection. Valves must also respond quickly in emergencies, with accurate position indicators and smooth operation under varying conditions. Emergency shut-off valves, in particular, need to remain fully open for long periods and close rapidly when needed.
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