The Russian-Chinese oil pipeline launched the full-fledged operation in a test mode on Tuesday.

The first technological oil was delivered from Russia along a branch line from the Eastern Siberia-Pacific oil pipeline to the Chinese border city Mohe (north-eastern province Heilongjiang), the Chinese Main Customs Authority reported.

The Transneft Company launched the technological oil pumping into the oil pipeline on Monday. The throughput capacity will make 400 cubic meters of oil per hour.

According to the Chinese customs authorities, 250,000 tonnes of technological oil will be pumped through the oil pipeline from Russia to China in November and 300,000 tonnes – in December. Under the bilateral agreement commercial oil supplies will be launched on January 1, 2011.

The branch line from the Eastern Siberia-Pacific oil pipeline to China was built under the intergovernmental agreement on oil cooperation that was signed in February 2009. Under this agreement Rosneft and Transneft receive credits from China to the tune of 15 and 10 billion US dollars, respectively, in exchange for guaranteed annual oil supplies of 15 million tonnes for 20 years (2011-2030).

The foresaid oil pipeline is running from Skovorodino through the border city Mohe to an oil refinery in Daqing (Heilongjiang province).