The largest natural gas deep-processing base in Xinjiang is taking shape in Lunnan, Tarim Basin, marking a significant national energy project. The Tarim Oilfield Lunnan Natural Gas Deep Processing Project commenced construction in September 2024. It involves building two ethane recovery trains, an ethane liquefaction storage tank, gas intake and return pipelines, and pipelines for exporting liquefied petroleum gas and stabilized light hydrocarbons. Designed with an annual processing capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas, the facility is expected to begin operations by May 30 this year.
On the evening of April 27, the project site was brightly lit. In May, the Tarim Basin enjoys clear skies and dry weather. Within the Lunnan Industrial Park, the processing project now stands tall with numerous towers and tanks gleaming under the sun.
The project is a key initiative by PetroChina to promote sustainable development and enhance efficiency. Currently, it is in the final stages of preparation, with nitrogen injection and replacement operations underway. Natural gas trial runs are anticipated by the end of May.
On May 3, at the control room of Xinjiang Bazhou Tarim Energy Co., Ltd., production operator Wang Jiahao monitored 36 modules on a large screen, reporting equipment debugging parameters via walkie-talkie. Outside, over 100 workers were conducting nitrogen injection and replacement operations. Design engineer Xu Jiangming cycled between units to inspect equipment sealing and dryness.
"Before injecting natural gas, nitrogen is used to test the sealing of equipment and pipelines. After nitrogen injection, pressure must stabilize at 6 MPa for 240 minutes, with a pressure drop not exceeding 1%," Xu explained. After sealing tests, 99.9% pure nitrogen is injected to purge air and impurities, followed by a 15- to 20-day cyclic drying process. "If moisture remains, freezing and blockages may occur since natural gas processing involves temperatures as low as -100°C," he added.
Covering approximately 1,000 acres, the project broke ground in September 2024 and achieved overall handover on March 30 this year. It is now in the equipment debugging phase, with gas injection targeted before May 30. Shen Lijun, the project lead, emphasized that all issues must be resolved before natural gas injection to ensure a smooth launch.
Shen, 58, arrived at the Tarim Oilfield in 1992 and has been stationed in the Lunnan Industrial Park since 2016, overseeing multiple projects. "Once operational, combined with the earlier phase, the annual processing capacity will reach 20 billion cubic meters, making it Xinjiang's largest natural gas deep-processing base," he stated.
Amid the silver production units, robust poplar trees dot the site. One particularly large poplar, requiring two people to encircle, stands protected within a fenced area. "It's challenging to grow trees in the Gobi. To preserve the poplars, we adjusted the layout of some units and pipelines," said Zhang Chengping, head of production operations.
Unlike typical chemical plants with整齐 layouts, several units here are angled to avoid the trees. "We've preserved 88 native poplars. Protecting the ecosystem is as vital as upholding the petroleum spirit," Zhang noted. In addition to preserving existing trees, the company has planted new ones, such as ash, crabapple, and elm, which now stand six to seven meters tall. This year, 72 locust trees were planted at the entrance, with soil replaced to a depth of one meter to ensure their survival.
To support green development, the project includes a carbon capture unit that transports CO₂ to nearby oilfields for enhanced oil recovery. Waste heat from compressors is also recycled for heating.
The project boasts over 90% domestic equipment localization. "Key components, including propane chillers and compressors, are domestically produced. The control system, once dominated by foreign technology, is now fully localized, ensuring autonomous operation," said Yang Junqi, head of equipment technology. The facility also incorporates AI-driven systems, allowing the existing team from the 2021 ethane recovery project to manage the doubled capacity without additional staff.
The plant extracts heavier components like ethane, propane, and butane from natural gas, supplying them as feedstock to the Dushanzi Petrochemical Tarim 1.2 million-ton/year ethylene project. "Tarim's natural gas varies between 'rich' and 'lean.' Only gas with higher heavy component content is processed here to extract greater value," Zhang explained.
Over the past decade, Tarim Oilfield has advanced from basic gas treatment to large-scale deep processing, setting a benchmark for China's petrochemical industry. Beyond technical achievements, the project reflects a deeper commitment—respect for nature, innovation, and resilience in the desert.
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