China's first independently-designed liquid natural gas (LNG) storage tank was put into operation on Friday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, enlarging the capacity of natural gas supply in the region to meet the surging demand in the upcoming peak seasons for heat supply.
The giant tank is 52 meters in height and can store up to 160,000 cubic meters of LNG, which can support the monthly usage of 20 million people.
The LNG storage tank plays a key role in the LNG production line. Its construction involves the industry’s most advanced technologies.
After a decade of innovative research and strenuous efforts, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the largest offshore oil and gas producer in China, completed the construction of the country's first self-designed LNG storage tank.
"With the core technology applied, the construction cost of the LNG storage tanks would be reduced by one-third. This storage tank is an important equipment of the supply, storage and selling system of natural gas in north China. After its entry into operation, the LNG storage capacity in Tianjin will be largely enhanced by 80 percent," said Wang Xiaogang, general manager of CNOOC Tianjin Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd.
CNOOC said the entry into operation of the LNG storage tank will provide a strong support of natural gas supply for north China in the upcoming winter and early spring heating season.