중국, ‘에너지 안전판’ 강화…2030년까지 석유·가스 비축 확대

The Chinese government is aiming to increase its domestic oil and gas production by around 5% by 2030, while also expanding its long-distance pipeline network to 220,000 km. This strategy aims to bolster the country's 'energy safety net' and make it more resilient to geopolitical shocks. The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration unveiled the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for the oil and gas industry, targeting a 4.8% increase in domestic production.

Currently, China is the world's largest oil and gas producer, with 4 billion 200 million tons of oil equivalent in 2022. To achieve this goal, China plans to accelerate the exploration and development of new energy sources and compensate for dwindling production from existing oil and gas fields. The country's high dependence on oil imports is a significant concern, with crude oil imports accounting for 72.7% and natural gas for around 40% of its consumption.

This dependence exposes China to strategic vulnerabilities, particularly in the event of disruptions like conflicts in the Middle East or tensions between the US and China. To mitigate these risks, China plans to expand its oil and gas pipeline network by 2,000 km and increase natural gas storage capacity to handle more than 13% of annual consumption.

Additionally, the nation aims to boost its liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal capacity to 200 million tons and increase inland pipeline gas import capacity to 1.14 billion cubic meters per year. The rapid expansion of the artificial intelligence industry is also driving up electricity demand, necessitating the strengthening of China's overall energy supply capacity.

Currently, China's computing facilities consume 1.6% of the nation's total power, but authorities project this to rise to 6% by 2030. In response, the Chinese government is pushing forward with the 'computing-power cooperation' initiative, which involves expanding data centers, power generation, and transmission networks. Professor Linbochang from Shimen University's China Energy Policy Research Institute told Global Times, "This target demonstrates China's efforts to expand oil and gas reserves in a complex geopolitical environment."

He added that despite China lacking significant oil and gas resources, the country's growing wind and solar power production capabilities give it the confidence to address its energy challenges.