Chapter 450 Strategic Petroleum Reserve (First update)
"There is no need to set up a branch line in Skovorodino to lead to China for this oil pipeline. This does not make any sense. It can all go to Nakhodka. If the Chinese want oil, they can load it in Nakhodka and ship it to China." The second show of Makoto appeared on the screen of the largest private TV station in Korea.
Since the collapse of the Red Empire, many private media outlets have emerged in China. The most influential one is the TV station established by Gusinski, which has even higher ratings than the national TV station in China.
At this time, this island woman appeared on the TV station as a guest, speaking fluent Russian and expressing her dissatisfaction with the oil pipeline.
“Why? As long as we connect a branch line, we can divert some of the oil. Wouldn’t it be great?”
"Of course not. The East simply cannot use so much oil. After the pipeline is established, it will remain empty for a long time, causing waste. We are also out of good intentions towards Mao."
Makoto Nijihide, a well-known energy expert in the island country, explained eloquently: "Our island country is a country with large energy demand and needs a large amount of energy to meet our needs. Therefore, we require that after the completion of the first phase of construction, we must carry out the construction immediately. In the second phase of construction, don’t build any meaningless branch lines!”
“A sneeze!” Qin Tao suddenly sneezed.
“Qin, what’s wrong with you?” Vitalia looked at Qin Tao very worriedly.
Now, it was a celebration dinner, and countless people were present. The protagonist Qin Tao suddenly sneezed, which immediately attracted the attention of countless people.
“It’s nothing, someone is probably talking bad about me behind my back.”
As he was talking, Xu Zhengyang walked in and said a few words next to Qin Tao's ear. Qin Tao nodded.
“What’s wrong?” Berezovsky also became concerned.
"I just received news that our oil pipeline has irritated some people. The islanders not only lobbied your government, but also made nonsense on the TV station, saying that we do not need to build branch lines and that all oil will be exported to Nakhodka. If we need , just load it there.”
After hearing Qin Tao's words, Yalevskiy immediately became angry: "These island people don't understand the principle of giving up when you see a good deal. They are all a group of greedy guys. Qin, please rest assured that our contract, There won’t be any problems!”
After all, the main person in charge of this project is Yalevsky.
Originally, the plan was to build the Antai-Dalian line, which would have nothing to do with the islanders. However, the islanders had to intervene and demanded that it be built to the Far East seaport.
The Chinese agreed easily, and it didn’t matter if they added a section of pipeline length. But what was the result? The islanders are still not satisfied and demand that this branch line be stopped!
After the main pipeline is built, only a few dozen kilometers more can be built to reach Mohe. The remaining pipelines are all domestic projects in China and have nothing to do with them. How could they give up!
The second phase of the project will take more than five years, and after the completion of the first phase of the project, the pipeline can be used.
"Thank you for your support." Qin Tao said: "We believe that our friendship is great, and the conspiracy of the islanders is destined to fail. However, after you go back, if the islanders give you gifts, you can accept them, anyway. The first phase of the project must be built first, and no matter how rude the islanders are, they will never ask for construction to start from Nakhodka.”
The first phase will be built first, and it will be built as far as Skovorodino, which is only a few dozen kilometers away from Mohe. By then, the domestic pipeline will have been built, and Da Mao will not have the money to build the second phase. Will they listen to the islanders?
It can be said that as long as this line is built, the domestic oil pipeline will be able to be connected. On the contrary, it is the second phase of the project and may not be able to be repaired.
The people of the island country have loaned 10 billion, and when the time comes, all the oil will flow to China. It will be a great scene!
Qin Tao had already planned it, and Yalevsky in front of him had a grateful face. Did you see it? This is Mr. Qin’s style. No wonder Mr. Qin can make friends with many people. When something happens, he always considers the interests of his friends first. This is completely opposite to the people from the island country. The people from the island country are so disgusting!
Berezovsky nodded: "No matter how much the islanders dance, it's useless. Since we have signed the agreement, we will definitely implement it in accordance with the agreement. Huh, that Gusinsky is too much. It would be great if there is a TV station." ?I also have media!”
Berezovsky had founded a newspaper back then, and Qin Tao also used his identity as a newspaper as a cover. But later, Berezovsky's business became bigger and bigger, and now he has become an oil giant, that is, No more media.
Now, the other party's behavior has angered Berezovsky, and he has decided to fight back in related areas.
"This kind of person doesn't need to have a head-on conflict. A car accident or something is enough." Qin Tao said.
Because of this news, the dinner party became a little more uneasy.
Leader Zhao came over holding a wine glass.
“Mr. Qin, I heard that there is some minor trouble?”
“Yes, there will always be people who will cause trouble for us. Well, let’s take note of this grudge first.” Qin Tao said, “But don’t worry, the islanders’ conspiracy will not succeed.”
Leader Zhao nodded.
“Of course, we also have to make preparations in many aspects.” Qin Tao said: “For example, we can build a large offshore oil depot as a storage and transfer site to cope with the unpredictable oil prices in the world.”
Large offshore oil depot?
Leader Zhao frowned: "The investment for such an oil depot must be quite large, right? Our oil company needs to raise funds to build oil pipelines, and I'm afraid we don't have the strength to build another offshore oil depot."
“If you don’t have funds, let us, the Mingzhou Group, come and let those people know that without Damao’s oil pipeline, we have other means, so that they can come to us instead of us to them.”
There was no one else around at this time, and Vitalia couldn't always follow Qin Tao, otherwise she would be easily misunderstood. She spent more time with Berezovsky.
“That’s right, let them beg us, and we will take the initiative when the time comes. As long as they build the first phase of the project, then...”
Leader Zhao was very excited. With Qin Tao's words, he could finally feel relieved.
This project costs a lot of money and is entirely supported by their oil company. If something unexpected happens, a big hole will be dug out.
The banquet is finally over.
Back at his residence, Wu Shengli chatted with Qin Tao again.
“You, Mingzhou Group, are going to continue to be second-tier dealers. You import oil from abroad, store it in your oil depots, and then sell it to domestic oil companies. There must be a lot of profit from this change of hands, right?”
"Dad, don't focus on money. Our Mingzhou Group has no shortage of money. What we do is a major event that benefits the country and the people. This is just the beginning. In the future, the country will still have to come forward." , we established a strategic oil reserve mechanism. Our Mingzhou Group’s offshore oil depots are nothing more than childish.”
This mechanism originated from the Fourth Middle East War in 1973. OPEC oil-producing countries imposed a crude oil embargo on Western developed countries, which immediately stunned the West.
In the past, they would buy and use at the same time. At most, they would have a few days of inventory at the refinery, which was simply not enough!
After the crisis, the West established a special International Energy Agency, requiring each member country to have at least 60 days of crude oil reserves to deal with sudden crises.
In the 1980s, there was another stimulus and crude oil reserves were increased to 90 days.
What about China?
China does not yet have such a mechanism.
Before 1994, China was a crude oil exporter. As a country that exported oil, was it still worried that it would not have enough oil and would be embargoed? Of course this is not possible!
Oil imports only started last year, at 12 million tons, which is not a lot. This is only the second year, and the total annual import volume is expected to be 15 million tons, which is not a lot. Therefore, there is no crude oil reserve mechanism in the country. .
It was not until 2001 that the country began to pay attention to this project. Site selection began in 2003 and four locations were selected as crude oil storage bases. A total of 100 million barrels of oil can be stored, which can meet the domestic usage for half a month at that time.
That's right, four large bases were established, which was enough for domestic use for half a month. After all, domestic oil consumption at that time had reached a very considerable figure.
What next? Of course, they continued to build, and a total of ten large bases were established.
These are all done on coastal land, with oil refineries nearby. Even if the Mingzhou Group wants to intervene, I'm afraid it won't be able to get in. Moreover, the stall is too large, and Qin Tao has no such ambition.
It is enough for him to just solve a zero breakthrough.
“How large a crude oil storage facility do you plan to build?” Wu Shengli asked Qin Tao.
"The simplest way is to buy decommissioned oil tankers and find a sheltered port to berth. It is best to have a refinery nearby and just lay a pipeline directly there." Qin Tao thought for a while: "That is, the scale of several million tons Bar."
“We only import more than 10 million tons of oil a year, and you actually want to build a multi-million-ton offshore oil depot, and you say it’s child’s play?” Wu Shengli’s eyes widened.
Qin Tao has certainly chosen the right time. He will take advantage of the next oil price drop to build an offshore oil depot so that he can buy a batch of low-priced oil and then sell it after the price rises.
Buy some scrapped oil tankers, which are not worth much. With one operation, you can get all your investment back.
"If we want to establish a strategic oil reserve mechanism domestically, it cannot be too small." Qin Tao said: "It must be at least tens of millions of tons, so that it is enough. In the future, we'd better be able to save hundreds of millions of tons, or even The amount that can be saved for the first half of the year will play an adjustment role.”
Oil is a cyclical thing. If you buy it and save it when it is the cheapest, and put it on the market when the price is high, the profit will be very high.
Of course, it’s not Qin Tao’s turn to figure out how to operate it. Qin Tao just made this suggestion.
“Our army must also have its own fuel reserves and its own refinery. In this way, our army can save a lot of money.” Qin Tao said.
When it comes to saving money for the army, Wu Shengli is interested.
There is no need to worry about the country's strategic crude oil reserves. After all, the country currently does not import a lot of oil. However, when it comes to the fuel used by the military, it is a huge investment.
"In the past, our warships mainly used boilers and used heavy oil. But in the future, our warships will mainly use gas turbines and diesel engines. Therefore, we also need to consume more fuel. We have our own refinery. It’s much cheaper to smelt it yourself and use it than to buy it from an oil company.”
In the past years, for the planned economy, all one had to do was file a report and apply. Moreover, there will also be military representatives in the oil smelting company. After all, many of the oils used by the military are confidential, and neither quality nor quantity can be known to the outside world.
Now that reforms have been carried out, many problems have arisen in the military's procurement of oil.
Regarding the issue of confidentiality, oil companies are already corporate. In order to develop better, they have even attracted some foreigners to join. This has affected the confidentiality of military oil. At the same time, oil companies also need to calculate costs. Therefore, even if an oil company purchases oil from abroad at a low price, it may not sell it to the military at a low price.
Regardless of other things, the navy has already ushered in a change.
Wu Shengli nodded.
What Qin Tao said makes sense.
They have no control over civilian matters, but military matters must be carefully considered!
“Since the advent of gas turbines, our navy has had an additional fuel supply, which is really complicated!” Wu Shengli said.
Gas turbines do not pick up oil and can burn any oil, even heavy oil. However, if you are not too poor to open the pot, you still cannot burn heavy oil. The consequences of that thing are too great.
The best fuel is, of course, aviation kerosene. After all, gas turbines are developed from aviation engines, so burning aviation kerosene is the most suitable.
"Yes, the demand for aviation kerosene is increasing. However, if we want to unify logistics, we can also let the gas turbine burn diesel. In this way, our warships are equipped with only one kind of fuel. Diesel is not very volatile. , more secure.”
In this way, we talked about getting on the warship again.
(Some readers said earlier that marine gas turbines can burn heavy oil, but the consequences are terrible. I checked it out and found that it is true. It can burn, but it does not mean it is easy to use)
For domestic destroyers, for a long time, they will take the route of alternating diesel and fuel, using diesel engines for low-speed cruising and gas turbines for high-speed navigation. If they are all unified into light diesel, it will have great benefits for warships: Just carry diesel with you.
As for the aviation kerosene used by helicopters on warships, after all, the quantity of this thing can be carried in a limited amount, and even a few oil drums are enough.
Unifying them into diesel fuel will greatly reduce the types of fuel carried by warships and facilitate the fleet's logistical supply, which is of great benefit.
Wu Shengli nodded: "Yes, it would be great if we could use diesel."
"What does it mean that if it can be used, the GT-15000 gas turbine we are currently developing can be enhanced to use diesel. Wouldn't that be enough?" Qin Tao said: "This also means that the amount of diesel we need has greatly increased. Well, you still have to do it yourself.”
The topic returns to the refinery.
Crude oil passes through the refinery tower and is divided into different fuels, of which diesel is only a part.
In later generations, the demand for diesel is increasing. After all, the main heavy-duty trucks burn diesel. Various oil refining companies will find ways to increase diesel production and improve efficiency.
If the Navy wants to build its own oil refinery, it must do it in one step. The smelting equipment is mainly used to smelt diesel!
Wu Shengli nodded: "We can consider this project."
After talking for a long time, Wu Shengli finally nodded. He was just thinking about it. After all, the Navy had to spend too much money. It needed to build a refinery, which could also supply a large number of warships to the Navy. The scale was not small. If If you add oil depots and the like, the navy will spend a lot of money.
Wu Shengli does not have the power to make direct decisions.
However, he soon remembered another thing.
“We have become an oil importing country, but we have abundant coal resources. Do you think it is possible to liquefy our coal and turn it into fuel, just like Germany did during World War II?”
Qin Tao glanced at his father-in-law in surprise. He didn't know who came up with this genius idea. However, this idea was much more feasible than the original idea of turning water into oil.
China has a lot of coal resources. The open-pit coal mines in the NMG area have not yet been discovered. There is also a large amount of coal in Outer Mongolia. There is no other way but to sell it to China. Therefore, for a long time, coal was an abundant resource in the country. At most, the transportation capacity was insufficient, resulting in no coal for thermal power plants in the south in winter.
However, China is beginning to lack oil. As the economy develops, the oil gap will become larger and larger.
So, can coal be turned into liquid fuel?
The Germans did this decades ago!
Germany is a country that lacks oil, but has abundant coal resources. During World War II, Germany took the lead in developing mechanized troops, and the demand for coal was even greater. Therefore, the Germans could only use coal-to-oil in large quantities.
The original technology could only be converted into gasoline. Therefore, German tanks could only burn gasoline, but the Soviet Union was different. It had a rich petroleum industry. Soviet tanks burned diesel. They could run hundreds of kilometers with one refueling and throw away the gasoline. A few streets away from tanks.
After World War II, coal-to-oil conversion entered a trough. However, some countries are also studying it, such as the Rainbow Nation!
“I heard that the coal-to-oil technology in the Rainbow Country is very advanced. If we can introduce this technology, there will be no shortage of fuel in our country.”
Rainbow Country is also a coal-rich country and lacks oil. Therefore, they have researched technology for decades and have achieved industrialization results. Compared with the technology during World War II, it can not only produce gasoline, but also diesel, and other of fuel.
If this kind of technology is developed in China, will the energy problem be solved?
Qin Tao shook his head: "I'm not very familiar with this coal-to-oil conversion, but since it has not been promoted on a large scale, it must have its drawbacks. We may be able to try it domestically, but it is best not to do it on a large scale right away. Spread out and use.”
If you don’t understand, just look at the situation of later generations. It seems that there is no large-scale use of coal-to-oil in China. There are some small oil refining companies that use waste plastics and even gutter oil to refine oil.
As for the oil, the quality is very poor. It can be used by those agricultural vehicles without any problem. If it is used in cars, it will definitely damage the engine. If the navy uses it rashly and destroys the gas turbine, the price will be high.
Wu Shengli nodded: "Yes, you can't be too reckless, but you still have to introduce it. Taozi, if you have ideas, you can help connect relevant domestic companies. After all, you are very popular in the Rainbow Country. Influential."
Own?
Qin Tao shook his head: "I have no idea. I'm not going anywhere recently and focus on renovating our big ship."
I have the ability to open up the channel of Rainbow Kingdom. Whether it is a shipyard, or a trade in clothing, it has been conducted very well, but Qin Tao does not want to go out anymore.
How exciting it is to work on that aircraft carrier. In the next time, he needs to focus on that ship, walk around it every day, and walk out on the Qinkarov Avenue!
After all, Qin Tao was not a businessman in his previous life, he was just a chief shipbuilder.
After hearing Qin Tao's answer, Wu Shengli nodded: "Yes, these are all small things. For you and our army, that ship is very important. By the way, the superior leaders may come to take a look in the near future. "
"What did you go to see?" Qin Tao refused directly: "We are currently undergoing rust removal work. The site is a mess and there is too much dust pollution in the air. Therefore, there is nothing interesting to see. If you want to see it, you have to at least wait until these operations are completed. We’ll talk about it after applying the primer.”
"You kid, why do you say that? You can see it at any time. Do you know how anxious the leaders are? I want to go and see it too!" Wu Shengli couldn't help it anymore: "Even if you bought the ship, then It will also be the property of our navy from now on!"
How many people have been looking forward to the aircraft carrier, the stars and the moon, and finally they have arrived. What’s the result? Qin Tao actually kept stopping them from seeing it!
The father-in-law went crazy, and Qin Tao was very scared: "Okay, okay, you can go and see if you want, but don't come here during the day. You can go to Mingzhou to inspect the naval station during the day, and come here for a walk at night. Try not to make a big show of it." .We still have to be more careful."
"That's more or less the same." Wu Shengli nodded: "We plan to go to Huating first to hear the progress of the aircraft carrier's modification plan, and then go there. You stay in the capital for two more days, and then we will go there together."
(End of this chapter)