Strategic discussion on construction and operation of oil and gas pipelines in China

Oil and gas pipeline transportation is an important component of the energy industry chain. The state-level overall layout of oil and gas pipelines is critical for guaranteeing the effective operation of the pipelines. Compared with developed countries, China is still laggard in pipe network construction and operation. In China, future oil and gas energy gap and import demand will trigger the development of oil and gas pipelines. Using comparative analysis and complex network model, the pipeline network characteristic values of China and North America are compared. Moreover, referring to advanced management experience, suggestions and solutions are proposed for system and operating mechanism improvement of China's oil and gas pipelines from the aspects of strategic-level state planning, layout, promoting network independence, and perfecting the legislation and regulation.