The China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) disclosed Wednesday that the second phase of the China-Kazakhstan gas pipeline has begun construction in Kazakhstan.

The second phase of the pipeline, traveling from Beyneu to Shymkent, has a length of 1,475 kilometers, with a designed annual capacity of 10 billion cubic meters.

Its actual capacity is expected to hit 15 billion cubic meters, the leading operator of the project, CNPC, said.

The first phase of the pipeline was completed in 2009.

The CNPC said the construction of the Beyneu-Shymkent gas pipeline will help meet the energy needs to assist with the economic and social development of south Kazakhstan, as well as increase gas exports to China and bring China-Kazakhstan gas cooperation to a higher level.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2010)