Zhang Guobao: Disapproved of coal gas projects blooming everywhere

At present, the international community is paying unprecedented attention to climate warming and emission reduction issues. The scientific concept of development to guide the development and use of coal has also received increasing attention.

Coal is China's main energy source, accounting for 77% and 70% of total primary energy production and consumption respectively. Since the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" period, the construction of a new type of coal industry system has been steadily advancing, and the coal industry has made great achievements. Outstanding performance in the following aspects: First, the significant increase in coal supply capacity. In 2009, the national coal output reached 2.973 billion tons, close to 3 billion tons, an increase of 768 million tons compared to 2005, an average annual increase of 192 million tons. This year's coal production is expected to exceed 3.2 billion tons. The second is the gradual optimization of the coal industry structure. The construction of large-scale coal bases progressed steadily, and large-scale coal enterprise groups grew rapidly. Like Shenhua Group, the annual output of coal has reached 400 million tons, and the world's top two are produced and sold. At the same time, the outdated production capacity of coal has also achieved remarkable results, and coal mining companies have made new progress in mergers and acquisitions. China will have to merge and reorganize more than 1,300 coal mines this year, eliminating backward production capacity of more than 100 million tons. The third is the comprehensive advancement of the construction of the coal recycling economy system. The recycling economy park in the coal industry has developed rapidly, and the comprehensive utilization of resources has gradually grown to scale. The development and utilization of coalbed methane has been accelerated. Fourth, the level of coal science and technology continues to increase. The design concept of coal mines keeps pace with the times, and the level of coal mine equipment has greatly improved. The demonstration projects of coal liquefaction, coal-to-natural gas, coal-to-olefins, and coal underground gasification are also steadily advancing. The 600,000 tons of coal-to-olefins project in Baotou and the Ningdong coal-to-olefins project in Ningxia have all been put into production. The Shenhua Group's 1 million-ton coal direct liquefaction production line in Inner Mongolia is also operating normally. Fifth, the gradual improvement of the coal policy and regulations system. The pilot measures for the sustainable development of the coal industry in Shanxi Province were fully implemented. The revision of the “Coal Law” progressed steadily and the framework of the coal laws and regulations was initially established.

From the above, we can see that the achievements of the coal industry are enormous and the contribution is enormous. However, the biggest problem is that the mine disaster has still not been able to effectively contain it, making the achievements of the coal industry feel pale. In fact, the government and all walks of life attach great importance to the containment of coal mines. The National Development and Reform Commission has been running for 10 consecutive years since 2001. It allocates 3 billion yuan from the budgetary funds held by the state each year to control coal mine gas. The cumulative amount in the past 10 years is 30 billion yuan, plus the funds raised by enterprises themselves and the society. The funds for preventing and controlling mine disasters have already exceeded 100 billion yuan. However, the mine disaster has not been eliminated. Therefore, we must not only devote great efforts to investing, but also look for deeper reasons in other aspects. To strengthen the management of coal, we must also think about the system of coal. The coal industry's management system has undergone frequent changes, and each change has been decentralized in a simple manner. However, the functions of decentralization, multi-headed management, unclear authority and responsibility, weak industry management, and inadequate supervision and supervision have not yet improved. This is a deep-seated reason for frequent accidents.

Safe development is the basis for the sustainable development of the coal industry. We must effectively change the concept of development, further increase the use of safe and reliable resources, and limit the development of resources with high security risks and difficult governance. It is necessary to promote system and mechanism innovation, support large coal companies in the merger and reorganization of small and medium-sized coal mines, carry out overall planning of the reconstructed mining areas, and comprehensively transform them, achieve reasonable concentration of production, and improve the safety and reliability of mines. The causes of the mine disaster are manifold, including objective factors such as large coal output, poor coal geological conditions and natural endowments, high gas mines, etc., as well as management system factors and technical factors. The mechanism of human gas outburst in coal mines There is still a gap between understanding and mastering. However, we may be more likely to look for our own reasons in the management of coal. For example, coal resource allocation and large coal mine planning are actually out of line. In previous years, in view of support for the impoverished areas, the country has also proposed the “quick water flow” policy. In order to solve the local economic development problems, various localities have organized many small coal mines in villages, townships, and counties, and these coal mines have The integration needs a great price and it also involves many legal issues. The existence of a large number of small coal mines not only destroys resources and affects sustainable development, but also mine disasters cannot be effectively contained. To curb the mine disaster, it is imperative to engage in a modern mine and must be mechanized.

Scientific development is the direction of the coal industry. We must change the mode of development, optimize the industrial layout, promote mergers and reorganizations, adjust the industrial structure, raise the barriers to entry, implement more stringent qualification management, and raise the level of productivity.

Promote the introduction of the "Energy Law" and amend the "Coal Law." We will improve laws and regulations for the development of the coal industry, earnestly implement the "Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Forwarding the Opinions of the National Development and Reform Commission on Accelerating the Merger and Reorganization of Coal Mine Enterprises" (Guobanfa [2010] No. 46), adjust and optimize the coal industry structure, and improve coal Production intensive and productivity levels, and promote the sustainable and stable development of the coal industry.

Steadily promote the construction of large-scale coal bases and increase the proportion of large-scale coal production. Promote the completeness of coal costs, abolish unreasonable charges, clean up illegal charging items, stabilize the development of coal economy, and improve the economic operation of coal.

Saving development is a new concept in the development of the coal industry. We must reasonably determine the intensity of development of coal resources around the country in accordance with the country’s overall strategy, resource conditions in various regions, and energy supply and demand. On the basis of canceling the guidance price of coal in previous years, we will accelerate the establishment of a resource pricing mechanism that truly reflects the relationship between supply and demand in the market and the scarcity of resources. We will use market measures to control the pace of development of coal resources, save and efficiently use resources, and protect the ecological environment in mining areas. If the known coal reserves are developed by this government, I think it may not be feasible. We must also leave some wealth for future generations and sustainable development.

How to truly implement the concept of scientific development in the coal industry, shouting slogans is easy, and it is difficult to do it. For example, Xinjiang also has a large amount of coal, which accounts for 40% of the country's reserves. Xinjiang is also very willing to take the development of coal as an impetus for the development of Xinjiang's economy, and also plans many large coal mines like Hami and Yili, but how they are used and how they are transported. How to digest is a big issue. Some say that it should be turned into electricity, and that it should be sent out over long distances; others say that we must engage in coal chemical industry. Some say that it should be shipped out. What about the railway? It's not so simple in a word. Therefore, during the “12th Five-Year Plan” period, the coal industry’s implementation of the scientific concept of development is a major issue and it is necessary for cadres at all levels to truly change their thinking to the concept of scientific development. We must continue to intensify scientific and technological innovation, improve the efficiency of resource development and utilization, vigorously promote the industrialization of coal mine methane (CBM), and cultivate new economic growth points.

When it comes to CBM development, we have made great progress over the past few years. However, compared with some developed countries such as the United States, there is still a big gap. The United States now develops coalbed methane at least 80 billion cubic meters, which is almost equal to the production of natural gas in our country. In contrast, we are still very small. What then affects our large-scale exploitation of CBM? In addition to relatively weak foundations, such as the duplication of mining rights, etc. are also the reasons, CBM development and coal mining are divided into different mineral rights, how to harmonize the two, and the mining rights into one? It's easy to say and it's very hard to do.

I want to talk about a few points:

First, on the “12th Five-Year” coal production indicators. China's "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" proposal has been announced. In the next step, the National Development and Reform Commission will formulate principled opinions in accordance with the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" recommendations adopted by the Fifth Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vigorously formulate the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan". , submitted to the National People's Congress for approval next year. Then there is an unavoidable question. How much energy development do we really need? There was also controversy in the proposed discussion. Some people argued that a "ceiling" should be established, that is to say, it is necessary to formulate a total "12th Five-Year Plan" energy consumption as an indicator of control. Others did not advocate this, and the last sentence was written. "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" proposal to go. Speaking of coal production, this year it is likely to exceed 3.2 billion tons, but it will increase by 200 million tons every year according to the demand of exuberant, and it will be more than 4 billion tons by the end of the "Twelfth Five-year Plan." From the perspective of our resources, mining to 4 billion tons is also possible. However, from the point of view of the transformation of mining intensity, transportation, emissions, and structural transformation, including the energy structure, is it necessary to obtain 4 billion tons? Those who engage in coal may be willing to hear about the development of coal. However, if I want to talk about scientific development, development is not only an increase in quantity, but also includes structural adjustment, scientific development, safe production, and clean utilization. From my personal point of view, I don’t advocate 4 billion tons. We must not have "quick water flow," and we must plan for a coal mine with coal resources. We must all develop it. We must scientifically set a total target for coal production and exploitation during the "12th Five-Year Plan."

Second, about the use of coal. In recent years, coal-to-olefins and coal-to-oil demonstration projects have been carried out in succession, but it is also controversial that coal-to-olefins should not be developed in the end. Now the planning department divides coal chemical industry into traditional coal chemical industry and modern coal chemical industry. Traditional coal chemical industry uses coal to make fertilizer and methanol. Modern coal chemical industry makes coal into oil, olefin and natural gas. Currently, modern coal chemical industry is very hot. All of them are competing for coal, natural gas, coal to olefins projects. I would like to say that as a direction of clean coal use, the application of coal in this area will surely increase in the future, especially for coal-to-olefins. I am optimistic about this. In the past, a large number of olefin-producing products took the route of petrochemical industry. Now China's crude oil consumption for petrochemical industry is about 70 million tons a year. Now that the price of oil has risen to more than 80 US dollars per barrel, how will the future of oil prices go? I think that as a kind of resource product, although there will be shocks, it will generally rise in a turbulent situation. Compared to crude oil, coal-to-olefins are certainly competitive in terms of cost. Therefore, comrades engaged in petrochemicals should also look at the competition in the coal-to-olefins industry calmly and objectively.

With respect to coal-based natural gas, we have approved 4 billion cubic meters of Ordos to Beijing, 4 billion cubic meters from Inner Mongolia to Fuxin and from Fuxin to Shenyang, and Xinjiang has also planned several coal-based natural gas projects in the Yili area. There are also reports of coal-to-gas projects to be approved. Coal-based natural gas is mature and reliable in technology, but it is rarely used in the world. Only the United States is the only one that has invested in industrialization internationally, and so far it has only one. Technically, it may be feasible, but in the process, a lot of carbon dioxide will be produced. The project units that strive for coal to make natural gas should also look at the industry in an objective, calm and realistic manner. I am in favor of replenishing subsidies and doing some appropriate work, but all over the place, it is not appropriate to engage in coal-based natural gas in all localities.

China has always insisted on actively participating in international coal cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and common development. China is the world's largest producer of coal. China's coal companies have accumulated rich experience in the exploration and development of coal resources, and some of them have reached a high level in well mining and open pit mining. During the "12th Five-Year Plan" period, we must increase the international cooperation in coal. If we talk about the changes in the coal industry during the “11th Five-Year Plan” period, there is another aspect that cannot be ignored. During the “Eleventh Five-Year Plan” period, China changed from a traditional coal-exporting country to a coal-importing country, and its net import last year 100 million tons, net imports this year are expected to reach 120 million tons.

Over the years, we have consistently adhered to the principles of "bringing in" and "going out" and actively carried out international cooperation and exchanges. At present, China and the United States, Australia, Russia, Canada, Mongolia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries have conducted extensive cooperation in the exploration, design, development, processing, transformation, trade, and services of coal (including coalbed methane) resources and obtained Fruitful results. We are willing to work together with governments, scientific research institutions and enterprises to further strengthen all-round cooperation in the coal field and actively create a mutually beneficial win-win situation. We firmly believe that the coal cooperation between China and other countries will surely serve the global economic and social development and benefit the people of all countries.

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