Core Insights - The West-to-East Gas Pipeline Phase IV has been launched, enhancing China's energy infrastructure and increasing annual gas transport capacity to 100 billion cubic meters, meeting a quarter of the country's natural gas consumption in the previous year [1][4] - The newly operational Gansu-Ningxia section of the pipeline spans 1,162 kilometers and is a critical segment of the overall project, which connects Central Asia and China [1] - The pipeline's annual gas transport capacity is initially set at 15 billion cubic meters, with potential upgrades allowing for a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters [1] Industry Developments - The West-to-East Gas Pipeline IV is part of China's "14th Five-Year" oil and gas development plan, aimed at improving energy supply and infrastructure [1] - The pipeline will work in conjunction with the second and third phases, further enhancing the energy corridor in Northwest China and facilitating the transport of gas from Central Asia and Xinjiang to coastal regions [1][4] - The overall length of China's long-distance natural gas pipelines has exceeded 120,000 kilometers, with the annual transport capacity significantly increased due to recent infrastructure developments [4] Market Demand - Domestic natural gas consumption is projected to rise, with an expected increase to 4,260.5 billion cubic meters in 2024, reflecting an 8% year-on-year growth [4] - The demand for natural gas in heavy-duty vehicles and power generation is anticipated to play a significant role in future consumption increases [4] - The establishment of a comprehensive gas supply network is being prioritized, with the National Pipeline Network Group facilitating interconnections among various gas pipelines to ensure a reliable supply [4]