STORY: Faces of China: Uygur engineer's dedication to gas transmission safety
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 6, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:38
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the first station of the Tarim Oilfield West-to-East Gas Pipeline
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): TURSUN TOHTI, Engineer, PetroChina Tarim Oilfield West-to-East Gas Pipeline First Station
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): TURSUN TOHTI, Engineer, PetroChina Tarim Oilfield West-to-East Gas Pipeline First Station
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): TURSUN TOHTI, Engineer, PetroChina Tarim Oilfield West-to-East Gas Pipeline First Station

STORYLINE:

In 2010, fresh out of college, Tursun Tohti began his career as an oil worker at an oil transfer station in the Tarim Oilfield in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The Tarim Oilfield is a major natural gas source for China's West-to-East gas pipelines.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): TURSUN TOHTI, Engineer, PetroChina Tarim Oilfield West-to-East Gas Pipeline First Station
"At that time, my job was to patrol the station. The site was located in the heart of the Taklamakan Desert, surrounded by vast, barren land."

Driven to advance his career, Tursun pursued further education, earning a bachelor's degree in petroleum storage and transportation from the China University of Petroleum in 2013. 

Through hard work, he passed an exam in 2018 and joined the first station of the Tarim Oilfield West-to-East Gas Pipeline, a key section of the oilfield.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): TURSUN TOHTI, Engineer, PetroChina Tarim Oilfield West-to-East Gas Pipeline First Station
"I carefully inspect every piece of equipment and pipeline, meticulously monitor key parameters, identify risks, troubleshoot hazards, and ensure the safe and stable operation of the station. I believe this is where my greatest value lies."

After becoming a gas transmission worker at the first station, Tursun continued to study while working and was promoted to safety engineer in June 2023.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): TURSUN TOHTI, Engineer, PetroChina Tarim Oilfield West-to-East Gas Pipeline First Station
"The first station of the West-to-East Gas Pipeline carries the crucial task of delivering gas to millions of households, especially ensuring stable supply during winter. Our duty is to provide safe and reliable gas transmission, bringing warmth to countless families."

By the end of 2024, the Tarim Oilfield had supplied 367 billion cubic meters of gas, benefiting over 120 cities and supporting economic growth in southern Xinjiang.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Urumqi, China.
(XHTV)