Zhang Guobao, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission and director of the National Energy Administration, said at the publicity meeting of the “Oil and Gas Pipeline Protection Law†that while the Oil and Gas Protection Law will be implemented on October 1, it is currently stepping up the drafting of the protection regulations for offshore oil and gas pipelines. For this year, we will report to the State Council.
As one of the five major transportation methods, pipelines bear 70% of China’s crude oil and 99% of natural gas transportation. Zhang Guobao said that at present, China's long-distance main line pipeline exceeds 70,000 kilometers, and offshore oil and gas pipelines are nearly 5,000 kilometers. Cross-border, cross-regional oil and gas trunk pipeline networks have been initially formed. With the rapid economic development, oil and gas pipelines, especially natural gas pipelines, will increase significantly. Oil and gas pipelines are special public facilities. The products they transport have social and public attributes and hazardous characteristics. In the event of an accident, they will harm social public interests and have a major impact on the economy, people's livelihood, and environmental protection. The implementation of the Oil and Gas Pipeline Protection Act has an important safeguard role for economic development, improvement of people's livelihood, social stability and national defense construction.
The National Energy Administration, as the competent authority for the protection of oil and gas pipelines in the country, feels that the responsibility is significant. Zhang Guobao stated that according to the law, the national energy industry will do a good job in three aspects:
First, follow the principles of safety, environmental protection, land use, and economic rationality. Organize the preparation and implementation of national pipeline development plans in accordance with law, and coordinate the overall coordination of pipeline planning with other special plans. The focus is on the coordination of land use, urban and rural construction, mineral resources, environmental protection, water conservancy, railways, highways, waterways, ports, and telecommunications. The National Energy Administration is organizing the planning and construction of cross-border, cross-regional crude oil, refined oil, and natural gas pipeline networks. Due to unclear system and legal responsibilities, cases of pipeline insecurity have occurred from time to time and urgently need to be regulated according to law.
Second, do a good job in major issues of pipeline protection coordination. There is a lot of meeting and intersecting issues between oil and gas pipelines and infrastructure such as roads, railways, rivers, etc. There are a large number of such problems in the first phase and second phase of the West-East Gas Pipeline Project. Now that the law has clear regulations, we also have The basis for administration according to law. The National Energy Administration will obey the principle of first-time construction in accordance with the law and establish a coordination mechanism along the pipeline to coordinate the major issues of pipeline protection across provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
3. According to the authorization of the Pipeline Law and the State Council's legislative plan, under the leadership of the State Council Legislative Affairs Office, we are stepping up the drafting of regulations for the protection of offshore oil and gas pipelines. The occurrence of oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico has slammed the world’s marine oil and gas security and environmental protection. Alarm bell. At present, the National Energy Administration cooperates with the Legal Affairs Office of the State Council to complete the drafting of the first draft and has repeatedly solicited the opinions of relevant departments. It is further revamping and striving for submission to the State Council this year.
The Oil and Gas Protection Law also stipulates that relevant departments of the State Council shall be responsible for pipeline protection within the scope of their respective duties, and that the provincial-level people’s government’s energy authority and the municipal and county-level people’s government shall be responsible for the protection of pipelines in their own administrative areas. Guide and supervise relevant units to fulfill their pipeline protection obligations, coordinate handling of major issues in pipeline protection, and investigate and deal with illegal activities that endanger the safety of pipelines. In response, Zhang Guobao stated that in order to coordinate and coordinate major issues in pipeline protection and respond to emergencies, it is convenient for pipeline enterprises to link up with competent authorities. Provincial energy authorities should organize municipal and county-level governments to implement pipeline protection authorities in the region as soon as possible. And reported to the energy management department for the record.
For oil and gas pipeline enterprises, Zhang Guobao believes that it must earnestly fulfill its obligations under the law, strictly abide by laws and regulations concerning safety production, quality supervision, and environmental protection; formulate pipeline construction plans; establish pipeline patrol system, regular inspection and maintenance systems, and operating procedures. It also organizes the implementation and eliminates potential safety hazards in a timely manner; formulates pipeline emergency plans, strengthens management and emergency response capacity building, and promotes technological advancement; promotes pipeline protection knowledge; and accepts supervision at all levels of government to ensure the safe operation of pipelines.