Sinopec's first LNG receiving terminal in Guangdong has been officially put into use
Sinochem News: On September 8th, the "Zhongneng Beihai" transport ship, fully loaded with 72,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Australia, arrived in the South China Sea and smoothly berthed at the Huaying LNG Receiving Terminal of Sinopec Natural Gas Branch. The arrival and unloading of the first commercial gas shipment at the port marks the official operation of Sinopec's first LNG project in Guangdong Province. It will not only effectively help extend the natural gas industry chain in the region, but also enhance the natural gas peak shaving and supply guarantee capacity of the eastern Guangdong region and even the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It is of great significance for optimizing the energy structure, promoting green and low-carbon transformation, and supporting regional economic development.
The Huaying LNG Receiving Terminal is a key energy project in the "13th Five-Year Plan" of the state and Guangdong Province. It is located in the Chaozhou Port Economic Zone of Guangdong Province and is jointly constructed by Sinopec Natural Gas Co., Ltd. and Huaying Investment Holding Group Co., LTD. The project is constructed in two phases. The first phase, which has been put into operation this time, consists of three 200,000 cubic meter LNG storage tanks, one LNG carrier unloading berth and related supporting facilities. It has an annual transfer capacity of 6 million tons and an annual gas supply capacity of 8.8 billion cubic meters, which can meet the gas demand of nearly 49 million households for a year. After the completion and commissioning of the second phase of the project in the future, the annual transfer capacity of the Huaying LNG receiving Terminal will be increased to 12 million tons, making it the largest natural gas reserve and supply base in Guangdong Province.
The LNG receiving terminal with the highest domestic production rate in China at present. During the construction of the Huaying LNG receiving station, Sinopec Natural Gas Branch fully absorbed and drew on the experience of equipment localization in Tianjin and Qingdao LNG receiving stations, vigorously promoted the localization of equipment and further performance improvement, and for the first time used five fully domestically produced large-diameter unloading arms. The localization rate of the first phase project was as high as 94% It has the highest domestic production rate of LNG receiving terminals constructed simultaneously in China at present. In addition, the Huaying LNG Receiving Terminal has put into use LNG bonded storage tanks, which can carry out diversified businesses such as international LNG trade and LNG bunkering. This not only effectively drives the economic growth of downstream enterprises but also significantly enhances the level of international operation.
"One ship, one strategy", efficiently complete the unloading of the first ship. To ensure the smooth unloading of the first shipment of LNG, the Huaying LNG Receiving Station of the Natural Gas Branch Company maintained close communication with all parties and adopted a "one ship, one policy" navigation plan. After going through safety inspections, pre-unloading metering, and connection of the unloading arm, the LNG on the transport ship began to be transported to the No. 3 storage tank for storage.
Sinopec contributes to enhancing China's capacity to ensure natural gas supply. LNG, as a clean and efficient form of energy, is of great significance for achieving sustainable economic and social development. Sinopec has been actively laying out LNG receiving terminals. In November 2014, the first LNG receiving terminal of Sinopec - the Qingdao LNG Receiving Terminal - was put into use. The Tianjin LNG Receiving Terminal was completed in February 2018. In December 2021, it was successfully upgraded to China's first LNG terminal with dual berths. Up to now, Sinopec has a total of 12 LNG receiving terminals, both self-built and developed in cooperation. It has cumulatively unloaded over 110 million tons and 159 billion cubic meters of imported LNG resources, which can meet the annual gas demand of 880 million households. It has basically achieved full access to Sinopec's LNG refueling stations in coastal provinces, making positive contributions to creating a new pattern of energy supply.