Achievements and future prospects of natural gas pipeline transportation system reform

Objective In light of the new energy security strategy of "Four Reforms and One Cooperation", advancing energy systemreform is imperative. Natural gas pipeline transportation plays a crucial role in this reform and serves as a key entry point for enhancingthe construction of the production, supply, storage, and marketing system of natural gas. Thus, evaluating the achievements of the pastdecade and outlining future reform directions is vital for accelerating the overall energy system reform. Methods Examining the legal, regulatory, market, and pricing systems, this study systematically evaluated the key institutional reform work and major achievements innatural gas pipeline transportation over the past decade. Literature review, policy analysis, comparative study, and both qualitative andquantitative methods were employed, with reform measures as guiding themes and timeline as the main framework. Results The findingsindicated that: (1) relevant laws, regulations and standard systems of natural gas pipeline transportation had been upgraded rapidly; (2) thegovernment's industry management and comprehensive supervision in the field of natural gas pipeline transportation had been profoundlyimproved; (3) the hardware and software foundations of "One Pipeline Network Nationwide" and the market system construction goals hadbeen initially achieved; and (4) a classified pricing system under strict supervision for natural gas transportation and distribution had beeneffectively implemented. In the future, it is essential to advance the reform of the natural gas pipeline transportation system by focusing onseveral key areas: establishing a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for pipeline transportation, developing and implementing highlevel technical standards and specifications, reforming the administrative management of pipeline planning and construction, creating a multi-dimensional supervision system, building a unified and open "One Pipeline Network Nationwide", fostering a fair and competitive pipeline transportation market, improving the natural gas infrastructure service pricing system, and developing a gas distribution price managementsystem characterized by strict supervision and effective incentives. Conclusion The reform of the pipeline transportation system haseffectively accelerated the development of natural gas transportation, significantly boosted natural gas reserves and production, and enhanced theproduction, supply, storage, and marketing system. The market-oriented development of natural gas shows promising prospects.