Second announcement on the environmental impact assessment for CNOOC’s coal-to-gas transmission pipeline

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The environmental impact assessment for the CNOOC Mengxi coal-to-natural gas transmission pipeline project has been preliminarily completed. In accordance with the Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of the People’s Republic of China, the Interim Measures for Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment (Document No. Huan Fa 2006) and other relevant provisions, a second public announcement is now being made. The implementation of the CNOOC Mengxi coal-to-natural gas transmission pipeline project will help improve China’s energy structure between the eastern and western regions, thereby facilitating coordinated development of the socio-economy and the environment. This project is in line with industrial policies and relevant plans; its production process adheres to the principles of clean production. Ecological protection and pollution control measures are generally feasible. After implementing various environmental protection measures, risk prevention measures, and emergency response measures, the impact on the environment is minimal, and the environmental risks remain within acceptable levels. Therefore, from the perspective of environmental protection, the construction of this project is feasible. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, China National Offshore Oil Corporation planned to develop and construct the \"North Route Project\" for coal-based clean energy. The coal-based clean energy “North Route Plan” project consists of the Demonstration Project for the Clean Utilization of Low-gradation Bituminous Coal in Datong, Shanxi, China National Offshore Oil Corporation’s coal-to-natural gas project with an annual production capacity of 4 billion standard cubic meters in Ordos, and CNOOC’s coal-to-natural gas pipeline project for transporting gas from Mengxi. On May 22, the **Ministry of Environmental Protection announced the status of acceptance of environmental impact assessment documents for construction projects. From May 18, 2015, to May 22, 2015, the Ministry accepted a total of 5 such environmental impact assessment documents. Among them is also the Demonstration Project for the Clean Utilization of Low-Grade Bituminous Coal in Datong, Shanxi (CNOOC’s 4 billion cubic meter coal-to-gas project in Datong, Shanxi). On May 15, 2009, the People’s Government of Datong City, Datong Coal Mining Group Company, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation formally signed a framework agreement on cooperation for coal-based clean energy projects in Taiyuan. In line with the principle of upstream-downstream integration, China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Datong Coal Mine Group Company leverage their respective strengths to cooperate on upstream coal resource development projects as well as downstream coal-to-natural gas processing and product marketing projects. The designed capacity of this project is 4 billion standard cubic meters of coal-to-natural gas per year. The project is located within the planned Zuyun Coal Chemical Industry Base in Datong City, making use of the local coal resources in Zuyun County to produce crude syngas through coal pressurized gasification technology. The main process units of the project include devices (processes) such as coal gasification, carbon monoxide conversion, acid gas removal, methanation, and drying; in addition, there are supporting facilities such as sulfur recovery, air separation, refrigeration stations, and tar hydrogenation.