Beidou navigation satellite system will be applied to the construction, administration and maintenance of the underground gas pipelines of over a hundred cities in China, according to an announcement at the cooperation agreement signing ceremony between Beidou, ENN Energy Company and the cities involved on June 12, 2015.　

Currently, the total length of gas pipe network in China is over 400,000 kilometers and the figure will reach 600,000 kilometers in 2016. The construction of the Internet of Things for the gas industry is very important. Therefore, initiated by the Global Navigation Satellite System and Location Based Services Association of China, the "Beidou Accurate Service Network" has been set up in more than 10 cities, providing accurate location information for the construction, daily management, maintenance and emergency repair of gas pipelines.

ENN Energy Company, one of the biggest city pipeline gas suppliers in China, runs over 448 natural gas fueling stations in 135 cities. According to the agreement signed on June 12, ENN will take the lead in the construction of the "Beidou Accurate Service station" and form a national network. By the end of 2015, ENN is expected to carry out all service management based on the Beidou system in all its branch companies nationwide.

Alongside ENN, Beijing Gas Group is the first company to apply the "Beidou Accurate Service Network" to gas management.

Experts said the application of the Beidou system will enhance the management and control of information in the gas industry and lay a solid foundation for gas safety in cities. 

The article is edited and translated from《北斗卫星管理“智慧燃气”》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author:Zhao Zhanhui.