PetroChina’s Dagang Oilfield cluster achieves 3 bcm annual storage, boosting Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei gas supply security, efficiency, and future low-carbon growth.
PetroChina’s Dagang Oilfield Company, a subsidiary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (PetroChina), has announced a significant achievement in its natural gas operations. Located in North China’s Tianjin Municipality, the Dagang Oilfield underground gas storage cluster has successfully reached an annual storage capacity of 3 billion cubic meters, according to a report by state broadcaster CCTV News. This accomplishment makes the site the largest and most important underground gas storage hub within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
The Dagang Oilfield cluster, situated in the Tianjin Binhai New Area, is composed of 11 major underground gas storage facilities. Among the key storage sites are Dazhangtuo, Bannan, and Lujuhe, which together form the backbone of the region’s natural gas storage infrastructure. Since the commencement of this year’s gas injection program in March, the company has made notable progress in enhancing operational efficiency. By adopting optimized gas injection strategies along with refined operation and maintenance practices, the efficiency of gas injection has risen by 15 percent compared with last year. This has allowed the site to achieve a maximum daily injection capacity of 21.16 million cubic meters. According to PetroChina, 92 percent of this year’s targeted gas injection quota has already been fulfilled, highlighting the reliability of the operation.
As China’s energy demand continues to grow, especially for cleaner sources such as natural gas, the role of underground gas storage facilities has become increasingly crucial. They provide both security of supply and stability for regional energy markets, ensuring that natural gas delivery remains smooth even during peak consumption periods. Within this context, the Dagang Oilfield cluster plays a vital role as a regulatory gas source in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei metropolitan area. Its strategic importance is emphasized by the fact that extracted natural gas from the cluster can reach Beijing’s downtown area within just two hours, according to Xinhua News Agency. This ensures that demand in the capital and surrounding cities can be met swiftly and efficiently.
Looking forward, PetroChina has ambitious plans for the Dagang Oilfield cluster. By 2030, the site is expected to double its annual natural gas production capacity, further reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of China’s natural gas infrastructure. This expansion will not only secure energy supply for one of the country’s most densely populated regions but also support China’s broader push toward green, low-carbon energy development. As the nation pursues sustainable energy growth, the Dagang Oilfield’s continued progress underscores its strategic role in supporting economic stability, energy security, and environmental goals in northern China.
