【History of Haichuan Pipelines】The Battle of Bazhou-3 – China’s first long-distance, large-diameter oil pipeline
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On August 3, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the \"83 Project\", China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau Engineering Co., Ltd. received a congratulatory letter from the group company. In its congratulatory message, the group company stated that the \"83\" Project laid a solid foundation for the development of China’s long-distance oil and gas pipeline industry. Originating from the \"83 Project\" campaign, the Pipeline Bureau has been the driver and practitioner behind the development of China’s pipeline industry, helping it grow from nothing to something strong. Over the past five decades, several generations of oil pipeline workers have fulfilled the Party’s mandates and carried forward its cause. They have always taken it upon themselves to support the construction of **strategic oil and gas transportation routes, upholding the oil industry spirit, the \"83\" spirit, and the fine traditions of pipeline work. With pipelines as their profession and the world as their home, they have regarded hardship as an honor and fieldwork as a pleasure. They have undertaken over 70% of the work related to the construction of China’s four major energy transportation routes, building more than 120,000 kilometers of long-distance pipelines at home and abroad. By playing the role of a key force, they have made significant contributions to ensuring **energy security, promoting national economic development, and improving people’s living standards. The congratulatory message also encouraged pipeline builders to carry forward the \"83\" spirit, remain true to their original aspirations, take on their responsibilities bravely, build on past achievements, and write a new chapter in development. On August 3, 1970, elite soldiers and experts from various places gathered in Shenyang to rush ahead with the construction of China’s first long-distance, large-diameter oil pipeline project. Thus, “83” became not only an engineering code but also a symbol of China’s long-distance pipeline industry, serving as a totem in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of pipeline workers and their families. August 3rd of each year is an unforgettable \"Pipelines Day\" for those in the pipelines industry.
“Pipelines are the only solution to the problem of transporting crude oil. ”In mid-July 1970, in the face of worsening energy supply problems, the State Council and the Central ** jointly issued the \"Notice on Building an Oil Pipeline in the Northeast.\" Building long-distance, large-diameter oil pipelines is a first in the country; a range of technologies, equipment, and materials have to be developed from scratch. People lived in dug-out shelters, and ox carts were used for transportation. When encountering uneven slopes, people simply pulled or carried the materials by hand. This is the most challenging initial stage in the construction of long-distance oil and gas pipeline projects in China.
Autumn and winter arrive early in the northeast, with frost covering the ground in a white layer. The muddy water reached their knees; it was icy cold with ice shards in it, but that didn’t stop those who rolled up their pants and rushed forward with great determination. Without pumps, they used basins to draw out the water, and when shovels weren’t available, they simply used their hands to dig… Over 200,000 military personnel and civilians regarded \"Contributing oil to our motherland\" as their glorious historical mission, and through the implementation of the \"83 Project\", they developed the \"83 Spirit\" of hard work, courage in taking action, teamwork, and selfless dedication. “During the \"83\" Campaign, operations involving laying pipelines in ditches: \"A long serpent of oil, traveling thousands of miles; with a single heart, we embark on this journey. Unfazed by high mountains or deep waters, we carry heavy burdens as a testament to our loyalty.\" ”This moving ode to oil was sung on the vast black lands for 5 years. With the completion and operation of the Tie Ling to Dalian oil pipeline in 1975, the \"83 Project\" achieved a complete success.
Autumn and winter arrive early in the northeast, with frost covering the ground in a white layer. The muddy water reached their knees; it was icy cold with ice shards in it, but that didn’t stop those who rolled up their pants and rushed forward with great determination. Without pumps, they used basins to draw out the water, and when shovels weren’t available, they simply used their hands to dig… Over 200,000 military personnel and civilians regarded \"Contributing oil to our motherland\" as their glorious historical mission, and through the implementation of the \"83 Project\", they developed the \"83 Spirit\" of hard work, courage in taking action, teamwork, and selfless dedication. “During the \"83\" Campaign, operations involving laying pipelines in ditches: \"A long serpent of oil, traveling thousands of miles; with a single heart, we embark on this journey. Unfazed by high mountains or deep waters, we carry heavy burdens as a testament to our loyalty.\" ”This moving ode to oil was sung on the vast black lands for 5 years. With the completion and operation of the Tie Ling to Dalian oil pipeline in 1975, the \"83 Project\" achieved a complete success.
During this period, in order to meet the needs of the development of the oil and gas industry and to accelerate the construction of oil and gas pipelines, on April 16, 1973, the State Council decided to establish the China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau by integrating national resources for pipeline construction, based on the Northeast ’83 Oil Pipeline Construction Command. This bureau was tasked with providing unified leadership over the construction and operational management of oil and gas pipelines across the country, carrying out functions such as planning, deployment, implementation, and operation. Since then, China’s first specialized oil and gas pipeline construction team, integrating engineering project management, was established. “Let the pipe start from here. ”In the small town of Langfang, located between Beijing and Tianjin, He Chenghua, who had served as deputy commander in the \"83 Project\" in the northeast, and Zhu Hongchang, a petroleum hero as renowned as \"Iron Man\" Wang Jinxi, were called upon to take on critical tasks. Together with thousands of pipeline workers, they answered the call of their motherland, came from all corners of the country, and bravely took on the task of developing the country’s pipeline industry. Over the following 50 years, China’s petroleum industry underwent several restructurings. Yet it has always regarded ensuring **energy security as its sacred duty, and has treated **pipeline network construction as a key strategic priority. By strengthening top-level planning and accelerating implementation, China has developed a backbone oil and gas pipeline network that spans from east to west, from north to south, covers the entire country, and connects to overseas regions. Four major energy strategic corridors have been established, which have made significant contributions to stabilizing the supply of oil and gas, promoting economic and social development, and improving people’s living standards.
●China’s first long-distance oil pipeline was completed. On August 3, 1970, with the approval of the State Council, construction began on China’s first oil pipelines—the Daqing to Dalian and Qinhuangdao oil pipelines. The total length of this project is 1,609.4 kilometers, of which 117.3 kilometers are located within Heilongjiang Province. To build this project, Heilongjiang Province mobilized 6 militia divisions and 4 construction teams, totaling over 70,000 people. After more than a year of construction, it was completed on October 30, 1971, and oil transportation began along the entire route. Since this project was approved by the State Council on August 3, it is known as the “83 Project”.