The Jiangsu LNG terminal in Rudong's Yangkou Port plays a vital role in providing clean energy supplies in the Yangtze River Delta region. [Photo/VCG]

Natural gas exported by the PetroChina Jiangsu LNG terminal on Yangguang Island -- located at the Yangkou Port Economic Development Zone in Rudong county, Nantong, in East China's Jiangsu province -- recently achieved a landmark high.

Local media reported that on Feb 27 the facility had exceeded 50 billion cubic meters of exports within a continuous operations period of 3,567 days.

It is estimated that the environmental benefit generated by the 50 billion cu m of natural gas is equivalent to planting 280 million trees, which can reduce carbon dioxide by 130 million tons and sulfur dioxide by 1.1 million tons.

As the first LNG project operated by PetroChina, the Jiangsu LNG terminal has received and unloaded 35 million tons of LNG from 25 countries and regions -- including Qatar, Australia, Russia and the United States -- since it started operating in 2011.

The terminal is regarded as a vital energy supply facility in the Yangtze River Delta region. The gas it supplies is used in all the cities of East China. Downstream users include power plants, as well as urban gas and industrial businesses.

Currently, construction of two 200,000-cu m storage tanks in the third phase of the terminal expansion project has been included in the "outline of the integrated regional development of the Yangtze River Delta".

The storage tanks are expected to be put into operation before winter this year.