The “15th Five-Year Plan” for the Development of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry has been released, with the goal of establishing a modern oil and gas industrial system by 2030.

2026-08-20


On August 17, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration officially released the “15th Five-Year Plan for Petroleum and Natural Gas Development” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”), which sets out a vision to progressively establish, by 2030, a modern oil and gas industry system characterized by continuously strengthened self-sufficiency, efficient integration of pipeline transmission and distribution, adequate and flexible reserve management, green and low-carbon production practices, safe, stable, and highly efficient operations, high-end, high-quality processing and utilization, independently advanced technological capabilities, and flexible, diversified international cooperation. The Plan specifies the key objectives for 2030: domestic oil and gas supply will reach 440 million tonnes of oil equivalent, with total domestic oil and gas production continuing to rise.

Centering on bolstering self-sufficient supply capacity, upgrading infrastructure, strengthening reserve‑based demand‑response capabilities, and advancing the green transition, the Plan also specifies that by 2030, the national long‑distance oil and gas pipeline network will extend to 220,000 kilometers, further integrating and enhancing the efficiency of a unified national grid; natural gas storage capacity will account for more than 13% of national consumption; and annual CO₂ injection through CCS/CCUS technologies will reach 10 million tonnes—marking the first time that CCS/CCUS has been enshrined as a quantified target in a national policy document.

The Plan outlines seven priority areas of work. First, it calls for intensifying oil and gas exploration and development, boosting reserves and production, and consolidating the domestic self-sufficient supply base as a stabilizing anchor. Second, it seeks to improve infrastructure, enhancing the safety, resilience, and operational efficiency of pipeline networks. Third, it aims to strengthen the oil and gas reserve system. Fourth, it emphasizes bolstering international cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Fifth, it accelerates the green transition and fosters new‑type productive forces, promoting the integrated development of oil and gas with other energy sources. Sixth, it reinforces science and technology innovation as a driving force. Seventh, it deepens reform of the oil and gas sector, further refining the “X+1+X” oil and gas market framework and supporting private capital participation in the construction of non‑strategic pipelines and oil and gas storage facilities.

According to a responsible official from the Oil and Gas Department of the National Energy Administration, in response to the new circumstances and requirements, the Plan is anchored on two overarching objectives: ensuring energy security and promoting green, low-carbon development. These two objectives reinforce each other and are advanced in tandem, safeguarding the bottom line of energy security while steering the course toward a green transition.

 

Source: China Petroleum News