On November 25, the 719 km-long Sebei-Xining section of the parallel Sebei-Xining-Lanzhou Pipeline became operational one month ahead of scheduled time, delivering an extra gas supply of 3.5-4 million cubic meters per day to Qinghai Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

The operation of this section can also ease the bruden of Changqing gas field, which will be able to supply 2-3 million cubic meters more gas per day to Northern China through the Shaan-Jing Gas Pipeline.

Sebei-Xining-Lanzhou Pipeline, securing the gas supply to Qinghai, Ningxia and Gansu, is China's third most important pipeline only next to the West-East and Shaan-Jing pipelines. In recent years, it is difficult for the pipeline to meet downstream gas demand in the areas due to sharp increase of gas consumption. Construction of the parallel Sebei-Xining-Lanzhou Gas Pipeline commenced in September, 2008. The parallel line, running from the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai Province to Lanzhou in Gansu Province with a full length of 915 kilometers, is expected to be completed at the end of 2009, capable to transport 3.3 billion cubic meters annually.