An aerial perspective showcases the Nanpu No 1 Gas Storage Facility situated in the Bohai Sea, off Hebei province. This facility stands as a critical asset for thermal regulation and supply assurance during the winter months in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, ensuring that the local population has the heating needed to cope with chilly weather.

According to the PetroChina Jidong Oilfield Company, which operates the facility, it initiated the distribution of natural gas to the region through pipelines on Tuesday. The offshore gas storage facility is notable for being the first of its kind in China and is expected to deliver around 350 million cubic meters of natural gas over the current heating season, catering to approximately 3.5 million households, as stated by Zhang Yongdong, a senior official at the company.

The storage site is strategically located over 3,000 meters beneath an artificial island, which was repurposed from a previously used oil reservoir. This facility has been built to retain gas during periods of low demand and release it during peak usage seasons, enhancing its operational effectiveness with a total storage capability of 1.814 billion cubic meters.

Hao Dayong, who heads the surface engineering center, emphasized the facility's cost-efficiency, noting that utilizing an existing depleted reservoir space significantly reduces exploration and construction expenses associated with new facilities. Designing the offshore structure required meticulous attention, including an assessment of geological pressures to ensure safety from potential geological disasters.

In light of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region’s heavy reliance on natural gas for winter heating, its need for reliable energy supply is deemed critical. PetroChina aims to bolster its gas storage capabilities by planning additional storage clusters, having already investigated five oil reservoir-based facilities and actively constructing two more.

Plans are in place to establish four clusters comprising 15 different gas storage units, which will collectively serve as a major gas storage hub in North China, enhancing energy security for the area. On a broader national level, natural gas availability is currently stable for the winter, with the country increasing its peak shaving and storage capacity by eight billion cubic meters compared to previous years, ensuring adequate reserves are ready for use during the colder months.