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On March 30, construction was accelerating on PetroChina Urumqi Petrochemical Company’s new 2-million-ton-per-year purified terephthalic acid (PTA) project. Work on the project began in October 2025; overall progress is currently nearing 20%, with the aim of achieving mechanical completion by the third quarter of 2027. PTA is a vital bulk organic raw material primarily used to produce polyester, with widespread applications in sectors such as polyester fibers and packaging bottles. Within the textile industry chain, PTA serves as a crucial link, connecting upstream paraxylene (derived from petroleum refining) with downstream polyester and textile/garment industries. Inside the company's specialized large-scale fabrication workshop, more than 70 workers are collaborating on the welding of a massive reactor. Liu Hu, Deputy Director of the Chemical Department, explained that the key reactor currently under construction—measuring 8.5 meters in diameter and 42.45 meters in length—is the core component of the main PTA unit. The equipment utilizes composite steel plates; welding the inner titanium layer demands exceptionally high standards for cleanliness and welder expertise. To ensure the schedule and quality are met, an additional 40 workers will be brought on board, with fabrication expected to conclude by mid-September of this year. "The project also employs industry-leading bromine recovery technology, which reduces pollutant emissions while lowering production costs," Liu Hu said. Xia Gang, another Deputy Director of the Chemical Department, noted that although Xinjiang possesses advantages in petroleum resources and cotton production, its industry chain previously suffered from a critical gap due to the absence of the PTA intermediate link. Once completed, this project will bridge the "oil and gas extraction—refining and processing—textile manufacturing" chain. Upon commencing operations, it will supply ample raw materials to the downstream polyester industry, thereby driving the improvement and upgrading of Xinjiang's textile industry chain. "Moving forward, we will strictly control the four key areas of design, schedule, quality, and equipment; ensure all parties fully shoulder their responsibilities; optimize construction procedures; and accelerate the construction timeline. Our goal is to ensure the project is delivered and put into operation to high standards and with high quality, while striving to achieve the status of a 'National Quality Project,'" said Xia Gang.

Construction has officially commenced on a project to upgrade the reclaimed water reuse rate at PetroChina Urumqi Petrochemical. Located in the inland northwest, Xinjiang faces a scarcity of water resources; thus, the industrial utilization of reclaimed water is a crucial strategy for overcoming water-supply bottlenecks hindering the development of the region's water-intensive industries. By upgrading the multi-media filtration system within the advanced wastewater treatment unit, constructing a new carbon adsorption and sedimentation tank, renovating the sludge dewatering facility, and installing a DCS control system, the project optimizes the feed water quality for the dual-membrane system. The resulting reclaimed water is reused as make-up water for the plant's circulating water system, effectively reducing fresh water consumption and supporting the green, low-carbon development of the regional energy industry. The project is being executed by CSCEC Installation, marking the company's first energy-sector project in Xinjiang. The project team is committed to strictly adhering to the management standards of the energy and chemical plant, advancing construction to a high standard, and leveraging this practical experience to deepen its presence in the Northwest's environmental protection and water sectors, thereby contributing to industrial water conservation and ecological protection in Xinjiang.

On September 10, the Planning and Operations Department of Urumqi Petrochemical Company reported that since the beginning of the year, the company has fine-tuned processing plans—addressing areas such as crude oil procurement, production organization, aviation kerosene storage and transport, and flow adjustments—to ensure its aviation kerosene production units operate efficiently at full capacity. Cumulative production from January to August rose by 12.35% year-on-year, breaking historical records for two consecutive months and achieving a balance between production and sales, thereby providing the market with ample, high-quality supplies. To meet the robust demand for aviation kerosene during the summer and autumn seasons, Urumqi Petrochemical took on the responsibility of increasing production and ensuring supply. Seizing the market opportunities of the summer peak season, the company focused on specialized technical initiatives to stabilize output and enhance quality. During production, the No. 3 Refining Department scientifically optimized production schedules, precisely adjusted unit operating parameters, and strengthened lifecycle equipment management to ensure the aviation kerosene hydrotreating unit operated stably at high loads for extended periods. Specialized teams collaborated closely and paid meticulous attention to detail, implementing quality control across the entire process—from raw material intake and process regulation to product dispatch—while strictly upholding safety and quality standards. Rising market demand led to an increased workload for loading and transporting aviation kerosene. Urumqi Petrochemical remained committed to safe and efficient supply, strictly implementing safety protocols and adhering to safety bottom lines for hazardous chemical operations. Given the flammable and explosive nature of aviation kerosene, the Storage and Transportation Department fully implemented standardized procedures—such as "one inspection per vehicle" and "one confirmation per loading arm"—and refined control measures, including vehicle qualification checks, equipment safety inspections, and mandatory two-person on-site supervision. By utilizing closed-loop loading and vapor recovery systems, the department achieved compliance with both safety and environmental protection standards. To overcome transportation bottlenecks during high-temperature periods, the department optimized scheduling by implementing an "appointment-based loading and staggered entry" mechanism. It dynamically allocated loading arm resources and adjusted equipment operating conditions, utilizing the DCS system to monitor key parameters around the clock and continuously improve loading efficiency. Through process optimization, the daily loading capacity for aviation kerosene has been raised from 600 tons to 1,700 tons, ensuring highly efficient and unobstructed outbound transport channels. Responding to shifting regional market demands, Urumqi Petrochemical accurately assessed market trends and leveraged the synergy between road transport and pipeline delivery. By scientifically aligning production capacity with the fuel requirements of airports, the company successfully resolved key bottlenecks and challenges in supply assurance. Addressing the specific fuel supply needs of airports in Southern Xinjiang and regional feeder airports, the Marketing and Logistics Department focused on boosting road loading and transport capacity to compensate for pipeline coverage limitations; this increased the share of road-transported aviation kerosene to 56%, significantly enhancing supply flexibility across the region. An efficient, integrated mechanism linking production, sales, storage, and transport drove continuous growth in sales volume, setting new monthly records for two consecutive months. Both the total monthly shipment volume and the peak daily shipment volume surpassed all previous historical highs, fully demonstrating Urumqi Petrochemical’s robust supply capabilities and excellence in refined operational management.

On August 10, at the construction site of the PTA project for PetroChina Urumqi Petrochemical Company (hereinafter referred to as "Urumqi Petrochemical"), tower cranes towered overhead and personnel moved busily about; the project has now entered the phase of installing rotating equipment. To break through the growth "ceiling" faced by traditional fuel-oriented refineries, Urumqi Petrochemical has mobilized its entire organization. Driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to thorough execution, the company has made the project site the primary battleground for implementing the spirit of the Group's mid-year work conference. It is accelerating the creation of a "second growth curve" anchored in new chemical materials, thereby laying a solid foundation for corporate transformation, upgrading, and future success. Refined management enhances quality and efficiency, solidifying the foundation during the "gear-shifting" phase of the growth curve. Currently, Urumqi Petrochemical’s units are nearing the end of their four-year maintenance cycle, marking a critical "gear-shifting" period for the transition from old to new growth drivers. The company firmly upholds the philosophy of "high stability, high safety, and high efficiency," adhering to differentiated control strategies tailored to specific units and towers. It has upgraded its "5+X" management model to a digital process control platform, ensuring 100% rates for automatic unit control and safety interlock activation. By resolutely preventing unplanned shutdowns, the company secures the time needed for progress by prioritizing stability. The Group's mid-year work conference emphasized that the refining and chemical sector should optimize production based on specific product strengths—prioritizing olefins, aromatics, or fuels where appropriate. At the operational level, Urumqi Petrochemical prioritizes "calculating profitability before action," utilizing APS models to achieve "minute-level" response times for profitability analysis of individual crude oil types. It directs limited resources toward high-value-added products like PX and aviation kerosene and is transforming its monthly economic activity analysis from a mere "accounting report" into a "diagnostic review." Amid the challenge of peaking fuel demand, the company relies on refined management to stabilize its core profitability, accumulating the momentum needed for the "second growth curve" to surge upward. Innovation drives green development, adding luster to the "second growth curve." Urumqi Petrochemical is thoroughly implementing the Group's mandate to "cultivate and expand emerging and future industries through original and disruptive technological innovation." Adhering to the principle of "supporting current operations while leading the future," the company has established a project selection mechanism driven by the needs of frontline production and operations. It is focusing on key technical areas—such as the targeted modification of slurry oil to produce anode coke and the production of durene via the alkylation of aromatics with methanol—and is streamlining the entire "laboratory-to-pilot-to-industrialization" pipeline. This effort aims to transform the "critical variable" of technological innovation into the "greatest driver of growth" for industrial upgrading. Simultaneously, the company is deepening the integration of digital and intelligent technologies, accelerating the "AI+" initiative, and leveraging its leadership in digitalization to empower management transformation. It is implementing closed-loop VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) control across the entire chain—covering tank farms, loading/unloading operations, and process tail gas—and comprehensively advancing the creation of "odor-free" plants. These measures ensure that the emerging "second growth curve" embodies both "green" and "smart" qualities, translating the "Dual Carbon" goals into concrete action. The company is going all out to advance project construction and accelerate the development of its aromatics industrial base. Establishing this base is a "lifeline project" for Urumqi Petrochemical to break free from reliance on fuel products and secure a winning position for the future; it also serves as the most critical pillar of the company's "second growth curve." Thoroughly implementing the Group's strategy of shifting from basic refining and chemicals to specialized, high-end materials, Urumqi Petrochemical is accelerating project construction through a rigorous, "visualized schedule" management approach. For the new 2 million-ton-per-year PTA project, civil engineering has entered the final "sprint" phase; the installation of steel structural frameworks (up to the second level) for major process units—such as oxidation and purification—is complete; and 16 oversized core units made of titanium are scheduled to arrive on-site in batches starting in September. To manage the compounded risks of intensive concurrent operations and the simultaneous retrofitting of old and new units, the company is employing scientific coordination and scheduling. The goal is to achieve mechanical completion for all public utility and auxiliary facilities, as well as the main production units, by the end of the year. By simultaneously advancing engineering construction and production preparations—including the early assembly and training of a robust start-up team—the company aims to ensure a successful start-up of the units on the first attempt. Upon completion, the project will fully integrate the entire "oil and gas extraction–refining and processing–textile manufacturing" value chain in Xinjiang. It will drive the transformation of the Urumqi Petrochemical Company from a traditional fuel-oriented refinery into a base for new chemical materials, provide the core raw materials needed to cultivate a textile industry cluster worth over 100 billion yuan, and accelerate the transition of the enterprise's "second growth curve"—key to its future success—from a grand blueprint into reality.

As of June 2, a 10,000-cubic-meter aviation kerosene storage tank at Urumqi Petrochemical had been in operation for 22 days, having stored a cumulative total of 12,126 cubic meters of fuel. The official commissioning of this tank has effectively boosted the company's aviation kerosene storage capacity. It has reduced the frequency of production adjustments necessitated by storage constraints—thereby lowering operational risks—while simultaneously enhancing tank turnover efficiency and the potential for integrated production, sales, and inventory management. The retrofit project to adapt the tank for aviation kerosene took 40 days to complete, meeting high standards regarding floating roof installation, safety upgrades, and cleanliness control. Urumqi serves as a key node city in the core region of the "Belt and Road Initiative." In recent years, the capacity and status of Urumqi's aviation hub have risen steadily, driving significant growth in the demand for high-quality aviation kerosene. As a major refining and chemical enterprise in Northwest China, Urumqi Petrochemical is tasked with ensuring the supply of aviation kerosene to Urumqi Tianshan International Airport as well as regional airports in Hami, Qitai, and Korla. Although the company's aviation kerosene output has steadily increased, limited existing storage capacity and a shortage of dedicated tanks had previously constrained production output and the company's ability to generate value. Aviation kerosene quality is critical to flight safety; standard gasoline storage tanks fail to meet the specific requirements for aviation kerosene regarding cleanliness, airtightness, and fire safety facilities. To address this, the company decided to add 10,000 cubic meters of storage capacity by professionally retrofitting an existing gasoline tank (Tank No. 222), thereby fortifying the first line of defense for product quality at the hardware level. The retrofit of Tank No. 222 involved multiple high-risk operations, including work in confined spaces, hot work (cutting and welding), and high-altitude lifting. Management personnel from the Storage and Transportation Department supervised specific zones with clearly defined responsibilities, while construction crews entered the site in an orderly, discipline-specific manner to ensure every step of the process proceeded according to standards. Comprehensive measures were taken to eliminate potential hazards in the storage tank's auxiliary facilities—such as the fire-fighting foam lines and tank-base valves—adhering to the principle of "upgrading one area to improve the entire system." This addressed operational risks at the source—risks that could have arisen from converting the tank from gasoline to aviation kerosene service—ensuring the tank not only has the necessary capacity but also guarantees safe storage and stable supply. Aviation kerosene storage tanks demand exceptional cleanliness. Han Changzhong, an equipment administrator in the Storage and Transportation Department, noted, "There is no such thing as a 99-point score for aviation kerosene quality; it must be 100 points. A single drop of impurity or a single equipment failure could compromise flight safety." Following the upgrade, Urumqi Petrochemical conducted rigorous acceptance inspections covering equipment, process operations, and safety standards. Inspectors, clad in clean protective gear, examined the tank walls, floating roof, and tank bottom one by one; white gloves wiped across any surface remained spotless. In the strictest test—the "dough adhesion check"—dough was pressed into the gaps of the floating roof, and it showed no discoloration whatsoever. Subsequently, the tank passed dual quality certifications from both military and civil aviation authorities and cleared the cleaning acceptance inspection on the first attempt, demonstrating that the internal cleanliness met the highest standards for aviation kerosene storage.

Recently, the first batch of -35# low-pour-point diesel exported by the Urumqi Petrochemical Branch of PetroChina Company Limited successfully cleared customs at the Irkeshtam Port. This milestone marks the successful opening of a new refined oil export route to Central Asia, representing a significant step toward diversifying the company's export markets. "Since we began exporting diesel to Mongolia in 2021, this marks the opening of yet another key international market for Urumqi Petrochemical. It is of great significance for expanding our overseas business and optimizing our marketing footprint," said Zhang Tao, Manager of the Marketing and Logistics Department at Urumqi Petrochemical. To successfully establish this Central Asia export route, Urumqi Petrochemical coordinated closely with China National United Oil Corporation (Chinaoil) months in advance to accurately assess market demand in the region. Simultaneously, the company collaborated with PetroChina Kunlun Logistics Co., Ltd. to survey port conditions, meticulously optimize transport routes, and promptly handle necessary formalities. Ultimately, through the close cooperation of production, transport, and sales teams, a new market for oil exports was successfully opened. Moving forward, Urumqi Petrochemical will leverage its strategic location in the core area of ​​the Silk Road Economic Belt to deepen international cooperation and take concrete actions to serve countries participating in the "Belt and Road Initiative."

Established in 1975, PetroChina Urumqi Petrochemical Company has evolved into a modern, integrated petrochemical enterprise combining oil refining, chemical fertilizers, and chemical fibers. In June 1999, as one of the first pilot enterprises for restructuring under the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the company was reorganized into the Urumqi Petrochemical Company. The company comprises ten secondary units—including an oil refinery, a chemical fertilizer plant, a chemical fiber plant, a thermal power plant, a water purification plant, a raw materials department, a sales company, a research institute, and the Xinfeng Company—along with thirteen administrative departments at headquarters. The oil refinery operates thirteen major production units, with a primary crude oil processing capacity of 5.5 million tons per year. The chemical fertilizer plant is one of the largest nitrogen fertilizer production bases in China, featuring four major production units and supporting utility systems. The chemical fiber plant currently operates three major production units—covering oxidation, polyester, and polyester staple fiber—making it the largest chemical fiber producer in Northwest China. The thermal power plant utilizes a combined heat and power (CHP) system with three boilers and three turbine-generator sets; it produces 900 tons of steam per hour and has a power generation capacity of 100 megawatts. In 2002, the company became the first within the CNPC system to achieve integrated certification for quality, occupational health, and environmental management systems, thereby establishing a QHSE management system tailored to its specific operations. Currently, the company produces fifty-six types of petrochemical and chemical fiber products across nine categories, backed by significant advantages in assets and technology. Since its inception, the company has received numerous honors, including the "National May 1st Labor Certificate of Merit," "National Environmentally Beautiful Factory," "National Advanced Unit for Greening," and "National Advanced Enterprise for Quality and Efficiency."

Urumqi Petrochemical Company is situated centrally among three major oilfields—Xinjiang, Tarim, and Tuha—and is adjacent to the China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline, the Central Asia-China gas pipeline, and the national Zhundong coal-electricity-chemical base in Xinjiang. The company originated as the Urumqi Petrochemical Plant; preparations began in January 1971, and actual construction commenced in April 1975. It has since developed into a comprehensive petrochemical base integrating large-scale oil refining, chemical fertilizer production, and aromatics manufacturing. The company has a primary crude oil processing capacity of 10 million tons per year and a paraxylene production capacity of 1 million tons per year. Its fertilizer plant has an annual production capacity of 750,000 tons of synthetic ammonia and 1.3 million tons of urea, while its chemical fiber plant has an annual production capacity of 130,000 tons of chemical products. Currently, the company produces over 30 types of petrochemical products, including fuels (gasoline, kerosene, and diesel), solvent oils, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Its urea has been awarded the title of "China Famous Brand Product," while automotive gasoline, automotive diesel, urea, and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) have successively received "Famous Brand Product" designations at the national, ministerial, and provincial levels. Since 2000, the company has achieved 135 scientific research breakthroughs. From the commencement of production in 1977 through 2014, the company processed a cumulative total of 110 million tons of crude oil and feedstock oil. Its output included 69.66 million tons of fuels (gasoline, kerosene, and diesel), 3.48 million tons of benzene-based products, 13.48 million tons of synthetic ammonia, 23.33 million tons of urea, 1.56 million tons of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), and 18.4 billion kWh of electricity. During this period, the company generated a total industrial output value of 346.8 billion yuan and operating revenue of 347.9 billion yuan, while paying a cumulative total of 40.1 billion yuan in taxes and fees.