Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, announced a $75million contract to supply PetroChina with equipment and related services to power the flow of natural gas through Line 3 of the West-East Pipeline Project (WEPP), the world’s longest pipeline and a crucial element of China’s drive towards cleaner energy consumption.

Rolls-Royce will supply PetroChina with an additional six RB211-driven pipeline compressor units, bringing the total number of RB211 units sold for installation on China and Central Asia’s vast natural gas pipeline network to 56.

Andrew Heath, Rolls-Royce, President – Energy said: "Rolls-Royce has a strong track record of delivering reliable technology and services to underpin China’s growing energy infrastructure. We are delighted to extend our role in the West-East Pipeline Project which uses cleaner, greener energy to boost China’s economic growth and ensure greater security of electricity supply to China’s fast-developing cities."

When completed in 2015, the 7,000km WEPP Line 3 will link China’s western Xinjiang autonomous region to Fuijan province in the south-east, transporting up to 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Rolls-Royce, which has provided equipment to WEPP since 2004, will manufacture and package the equipment at its energy facilities in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and Mount Vernon, Ohio, U.S.A.