Currently, the Power of Siberia gas trunkline (eastern route) supplies gas from the Chayandinskoye field – the basis for the Yakutia gas production center – to domestic consumers in Russia’s Far East and to China.
In May 2014, Gazprom and China´s CNPC signed the Sales and Purchase Agreement for gas to be supplied via the eastern route (Power of Siberia gas pipeline).
The 30-year Agreement provides for Russian gas deliveries to China in the amount of 38 billion m3 per year.
In September 2014, Gazprom commenced the construction of Power of Siberia’s 1st section running some 2 200 km from the Chayandinskoye field to Blagoveshchensk (Chinese border).
The 2nd phase of the project will include the construction of a section stretching for about 800 km from the Kovyktinskoye field to the Chayandinskoye field.
The pipeline route passes through swampy, mountainous, seismically active, permafrost and rocky areas with extreme environmental conditions.
The absolute lowest air temperatures along the Power of Siberia route range from –41 degrees Celsius in the Amur Region to –62 degrees Celsius in Yakutia.
It is planned to bring Kovyktinskoye onstream in late 2022.
The 3rd stage provides for expanding gas transmission capacities between the Chayandinskoye field and Blagoveshchensk.
In September 2016, Gazprom and CNPC signed the EPC contract to construct a crossing under the Amur River within the cross-border section of the Power of Siberia pipeline.
Construction in the Chinese territory started in April 2017.
On December 2, 2019, Power of Siberia was brought into operation and the 1st-ever pipeline supplies of Russian gas to China were launched.
The project was expected to reach the design capacity by 2025.
Annual supplies are planned at 38 billion m3 of gas, while the contract is worth $400 billion.