In the depths of winter, a critical energy supply campaign to ensure warmth for countless households is underway deep within the Mu Us Desert. Gas extracted from underground flows through purification and pressurization processes, directly reaching millions of homes in cities like Beijing, Xi'an, and Yinchuan. The meaning of the "New Year" takes on a unique interpretation in this sandy landscape.

On February 5th, a visit was made to the Changqing Oilfield, operated by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). As the country's largest oil and gas field, its natural gas output is projected to exceed 51 billion cubic meters by 2025, maintaining a production level above 50 billion cubic meters for the fourth consecutive year. Its annual gas production accounts for one-fifth of the nation's total. To combat the severe cold wave, the field recently achieved a record-high daily natural gas output of 171 million cubic meters.

**Festive Atmosphere in the Control Room** At the No. 3 Operation Area of the First Gas Production Plant in Yulin, Shaanxi, on the 5th, Tang Yang, a geotechnical technician born after 1995, closely monitored the central control screen. A sharply dropping pressure curve on one well made him anxious. "The pressure in this well is dropping severely; it's likely frozen," he explained. The colder the weather, the more easily groundwater brought up during gas production can freeze inside the pipelines, causing blockages. His job is to "take the pulse" of the gas wells, identifying and mitigating risks in advance.

That evening, a reporter accompanied Tang Yang to the site. In the freezing night of -10 degrees Celsius, an inspection revealed that a small accumulation of gas inside the pressure gauge had caused an abnormal reading—a false alarm! "It's fine now, just needs venting," he said with a smile, his breath visible in the cold air. Two weeks prior, during a de-icing emergency, he and his mentor worked for three hours in the deep night at -20 degrees Celsius, returning to their dormitory with numb feet.

This year, 28-year-old Tang Yang is spending the New Year away from his hometown in Sichuan for the first time. While his family gathers for a traditional feast, his "festive atmosphere" consists of data on screens, stubborn stains on his work clothes from emergency repairs, and the profound responsibility of ensuring the steady output of gas. "When the blockage is cleared and the gas flows, my heart is at ease," he said.

**From Stationed Duty to Intelligent Monitoring** On the afternoon of the 5th, after a drive of over two hours, a visit was made to the No. 4 Operation Area of the First Gas Production Plant located in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Inside the central control room, data flickered across large screens.

In the memory of Xu Lijun, a veteran with nearly 30 years of experience, frontline gas production has always involved braving wind and snow. Recalling the many New Year's Eves spent with colleagues at gas production stations, this seasoned worker, now in his fifties, expressed a sense of regret towards his parents and family, becoming emotional as he spoke.

"Now it's different," he noted. "Stations have achieved unattended operation. Digital and intelligent transformation has made the operation areas smarter; the hard days are over." Cai Zhe, leader of the youth technical team in Operation Area Four, clicked his mouse to bring up the "Gas Well Cloud Platform." It clearly shows which well has a low "temperature" or where pressure is abnormal. "Yesterday, the system issued an early warning," he said, pointing to the screen. A specific well required methanol injection 15 minutes in advance to prevent freezing; otherwise, residual moisture in the pipeline could freeze and block it instantly upon opening.

Previously, such potential issues were hard to detect, often requiring crews to be dispatched for repairs only after a blockage occurred. Now, a simple click in the control room sends instructions directly to the site, proactively resolving a potential freeze risk. "This system, developed in-house, saved 400,000 yuan in costs during the 2024 heating season," said Wang Jipeng, the post-90s manager of Operation Area Four, stating plainly, "Where our mentors' sweat was shed, our youth's innovation is focused."

**The 'Blue Spark' in the Sandy Sea** The final stop in natural gas production is the purification plant. Here, the surging warm flow creates a unique connection with the homecoming sentiments of workers.

On the morning of February 6th, at the First Purification Plant in Jingbian County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, a network of yellow pipelines crisscrossed the facility. Deputy Plant Manager George Qiao looked up, his gaze sweeping over the prominent white labels on the pipes: "Shaan-Jing," "Jing-Xi"... Each pipeline represents a warm artery leading to millions of households. "The 'Shaan-Jing' line sends gas directly from Jingbian to Beijing; the 'Jing-Xi' line supplies Xi'an," he explained.

"This is the final 'gateway' before natural gas enters the national trunk pipeline network," George said. "Our task is to purify the gas to meet standards before it enters the transmission pipelines and reaches countless homes." Nearby, Wei Boyao, deputy director of the production operations room, patted a sturdy pipeline surging with gas bound for his hometown of Xi'an. This physical connection gave him a sense of solidity.

The 29-year-old Wei, who spent the last two New Year's Eves at the purification plant, can finally return home this year. "I want to tell my parents that the gas used for our family's New Year's Eve dinner was purified by us and sent home through this very pipeline," he said with a smile. "This 'New Year's gift' is truly unique."

While some return home for reunion, others stay behind to guard the operation. Tian Wenhui, a 24-year-old technician, will celebrate the New Year on duty for the first time. "The senior workers say the festive atmosphere here is just as strong," she remarked. In her view, their guardianship is precisely for the sake of enabling more family reunions elsewhere.

As the reporter departed, strings of lanterns already adorned the plant area, illuminating a slogan that read: "It is our responsibility to ensure people do not suffer from the cold; it is our honor to supply gas to the people."

"This year, over 150 young employees from our plant will celebrate the New Year at their posts," said Wu Fuyang, Director of the First Gas Production Plant. "These young people are like 'blue sparks' in the sandy sea, inheriting the mission of 'dedicating oil to the country.' They guard the 'gas dragon' emerging from the desert in the severe cold, igniting the light of innovation for 'revitalizing the industry through technology,' and using wisdom to rejuvenate traditional energy extraction."

As the cold wind sweeps across the Mu Us Desert, the warm flow beneath the ground surges incessantly. This powerful current converges into millions of homes, safeguarding a warm and reunited New Year.