China National Petroleum Corporation on Thursday officially put into operation the Tarim 1.2 MTA Phase II Ethylene Project and its supporting green and low-carbon demonstration facility in Korla, Bayingolin Mongolian autonomous prefecture, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. This marks the launch of the country's first full-chain green and low-carbon ethylene project. The facility is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 1.37 million metric tons annually, equivalent to the carbon sequestration capacity of 5.48 million mu, or about 365,333 hectares, of forest.

Technological Integration

The project combines renewable energy, carbon capture, and the high-value utilization of by-products. It directly uses renewable energy generated by Tarim Oilfield's photovoltaic facilities, with around 1 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity supplied to the complex each year. Additionally, it features the world's second and China's first domestically developed electric-driven system for the three major ethylene compressors, shifting from thermal to electric power.

Carbon Capture and Utilization

The facility has adopted a first-of-its-kind integrated carbon capture technology in China to recover low-concentration carbon dioxide from cracking furnace flue gas. The captured CO₂ and recovered by-product hydrogen are reused in the production process, forming a closed-loop low-carbon industrial chain. This chain connects green power, carbon capture, blue hydrogen, blue ammonia, and lower-carbon fertilizer production.

Domestic Technological Advancements

The project reflects China's growing technological strength, with ten of its 11 major production units using homegrown technologies. Nine of these technologies come from CNPC, and five have been applied at an industrial scale for the first time. The overall localization rate of the project has reached 99 percent, with full localization achieved for several units, including hydrogenation of pyrolysis gasoline and butadiene rubber.

Economic and Regional Impact

With the project now in operation, it is expected to help fill gaps in the production of high-end polyolefins, synthetic rubber, and other advanced materials in southern Xinjiang. It also aims to support the growth of downstream 100-billion-yuan industrial clusters, contributing to regional economic development and creating employment opportunities in Korla and surrounding areas.