Natural gas and energy revolution: A case study of Sichuan-Chongqing gas province

For a full and accurate understanding of the position and role of natural gas in China's energy revolution and providing a decision-making reference for the scientific establishment of natural gas development strategies and the deepening of the energy revolution, this paper analyzed the role of natural gas in guiding the energy revolution in China and points out the main direction of natural gas utilization in the Sichuan-Chongqing gas province which takes the lead in China's natural gas industry. The study provides the following findings. First, with a huge space for development, natural gas will play an important role in China's third energy revolution. Second, natural gas resources are abundant and have a huge potential for development in China. Third, natural gas can be used for a large range of purposes in the Sichuan-Chongqing gas province. In addition to be used as city gas, natural gas can also be used for industrial fuel mainly as a substitute for coal, transportation, distributed energy, peak-shaving power generation, and high-end natural gas chemical raw materials. Some conclusions are made. First, as the cleanest fossil energy and the best fuel, natural gas will play an irreplaceable role in China's third energy revolution in the 21st century. Second, the Sichuan-Chongqing gas province is rich in natural gas, hydropower and other renewable resources. By 2020, it will become the largest gas production province in China, with natural gas production over 550 × 108 m3. By 2030, driven by the rapid development of shale gas, gas production in the province is expected to exceed 800 × 108 m3. Third, the Sichuan-Chongqing gas province is likely to become the leader in China's third energy revolution.