The rapid development of China's energy industry has made tremendous contributions to the rapid development of the national economy. The main performances are: significant increase in energy supply capacity, significant energy savings, optimized energy consumption structure, rapid increase in energy science and technology, and progress in environmental protection. The market environment gradually improved. However, we must see that the current state of energy is not yet adapted to the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization.
I. Current situation and characteristics of China's energy resources First, the total amount of energy resources is relatively abundant, but the per capita energy resources are relatively low. China's fossil fuels are relatively abundant and coal resources dominate. In 2006, the coal resource holdings amounted to 1.0345 billion tons, and the remaining proved recoverable volume accounted for about 13% of the world's total, ranking third in the world, and it has great development potential. The proven reserves of oil and natural gas resources are relatively insufficient, while the reserves of unconventional fossil fuels such as oil shale and coal bed methane are large. However, the per capita possession of coal resources is equivalent to 50% of the world average, while the per capita resources of oil and natural gas are only about 1/15 of the world average.
Second, the distribution of energy resource endowments is uneven, and development difficulties and transportation pressures are relatively large. Coal resources are mainly distributed in North China and Northwest China, and oil and natural gas are distributed in the eastern, central and western regions and offshore waters. Energy consumption is mainly concentrated in the economically developed areas on the southeast coast. Due to the large-scale and long-distance north coal transportation to the south, the north oil transportation to the south, and the west-to-east gas transmission, the pressure of transportation is high and the cost is high. The geological conditions for the exploitation of coal resources are poor. Most of the reserves need to be mined underground, and very few are available for open-pit mining, making it difficult to extract. Oil and natural gas resources have complex geological conditions and are buried deeply. The exploration and development technology requirements are relatively high.
Third, the structure of energy resources is irrational and the pressure on the environment is high. It will be difficult to change for a long time. The energy structure is rich in coal, less gas, and lean oil, and relatively low-quality energy resources. Coal is China's main energy source. Coal production methods and consumption methods are lagging behind. Coal consumption is the main cause of coal-burning air pollution, and is also the main source of greenhouse gas emissions. Because with the increase in the number of urban cars and the rapid increase in household electrical consumption, oil and gas consumption is very large, and the energy structure is difficult to change in the short term.
Second, the development of a global national energy development strategy 1. Energy development strategic positioning. It is very important to study the strategic positioning of energy in the new stage. On the whole, China is an energy-starved country. Under the trend of economic globalization, we must make full use of both domestic and foreign resources and two markets to ensure long-term stable supply of energy production and consumption and national economic security.
2. Vigorously implement the "going out" strategy and strengthen international cooperation in the energy sector. Adhere to conservation priorities, based on domestic, diversified development, rely on science and technology, protect the environment, strengthen international cooperation of mutual benefit, and strive to build a stable, economical, clean and safe energy supply system to support sustainable economic and social development with sustainable energy development.
First, select key strategic areas for energy cooperation. From the perspective of resource endowments and geopolitical advantages, the Middle East, Central Asia, Russia, and Africa should be the key strategic regions for China to use foreign oil and gas resources. Many countries have expressed that they welcome China to invest in oil and gas resources and promote the stability of the world oil market. China should make full use of its advantages in mechanical and electrical products and light industrial textiles, export it to them, exchange opportunities for exploration and development of energy resources for mutual benefit, and accelerate mutual economic development. The surrounding countries, such as Central Asia and Russia, are rich in oil and gas resources, connected by land, and have convenient access to land transportation and pipeline transportation. Central Asia? Russia is also an important member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It plans to consider and actively promote Sino-Kazakhstan, Sino-Russian oil and gas exploration and development, and is building oil pipeline projects that will lead to China. Myanmar is rich in oil and natural gas reserves, and Vietnam’s offshore oil, natural gas, and coal reserves are also abundant. Mongolia has great oil and coal development potential, short transportation routes and low cost advantages. In addition to the above-mentioned key strategic areas, the exploration and development of oil and gas resources in Australia, Latin America and the offshore waters of China should not be overlooked. Through "going out" cooperative development, it can not only promote the export of domestic technology and equipment and labor services, but also has important significance for safeguarding the national oil supply security.
Second, we will implement a diversification strategy for oil and gas imports, improve the oil and gas trading system, and ensure the safety of oil and gas transportation. It should be made clear that in the first half of the 21st century, oil, natural gas, and coal are still the main bodies of energy in China. At present, China has become the world's second-largest energy producer and consumer. Among them, oil consumption and oil imports account for the second largest in the world, second only to the United States. After 2010, China will surpass the United States and become the world’s largest energy consumer. China must further improve the diversification of oil trading methods, trade channels, and diversification of transportation methods in order to avoid the risks of the world oil market. In terms of transportation methods, ocean-going fleets should be actively organized to increase the amount of crude oil imported by themselves, increase the number of offshore oil and gas pipelines, and increase pipeline transportation capacity. At the same time, port infrastructure support capabilities should be increased to build a number of large-scale crude oil terminals and LNG receiving terminal facilities, so as to increase the ability of importing and exporting oil and gas, and to ensure the increasing import volume of oil and gas trade. Under the premise of adhering to the domestic processing of imported crude oil, some of the refined oil is properly imported to adjust the gaps and improve efficiency. In terms of trade, active and oil-producing countries carry out complementary and mutually beneficial trade. In the way of cooperation contracts, we should adhere to the combination of intergovernmental cooperation agreements, long-term contracts and spot imports. At the same time, it should actively participate in the international oil futures trade to avoid price risks.
Third, strengthen international cooperation with oil-producing and consumer countries to create conditions for maintaining a safe and stable oil and gas supply environment. The White Paper on China’s Energy Status and Policy clearly stated that maintaining world peace and regional stability is a prerequisite for achieving global energy security. China is a big country with oil production and a big consumer, and it has common interests with the world’s oil-producing and consumer countries. Based on this, we must strengthen cooperation with oil producing countries and consumer countries in the world, establish long-term and stable oil trade relations, and jointly contribute to maintaining the stability of the international oil supply. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the international energy organizations and regional economic organizations in the energy sector.
The Strategic Choice of Energy Supply Security in China
The rapid development of China's energy industry has made tremendous contributions to the rapid development of the national economy. The main performances are: significant increase in energy supply capacity, significant energy savings, optimized energy consumption structure, rapid increase in energy science and technology, and progress in environmental protection. The market environment gradually improved. However, we must see that the current state of energy is not yet adapted to the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization.