From the article Flouting a government ban, farmers around the central Chinese town of Pucheng frequently filch gas from the local oil field.

Now, the Ukraine situation was a threatened cut-off of a gas delivery line by Russia while this is stealing from local oil wells. I don't think that kind of innovation would be possible in the Ukrainian situation.

I don't think that kind of innovation would be possible in the Ukrainian situation.

Not true! Russia delivers gas to Europe through pipes that cross Ukrainian territory.

David,

OK, I conced your point that the Russians cannot simply shut them off, but they can restrict supply. Then the only way the Ukrainians could get at the gas would be to damage another country's pipeline (Russia) or forcing open the vents (things the Russians would protect if the "shut off" supply to Ukraine) both instances would be seen as a violent, aggressive act and something a Ukrainian might think twice about doing. In contrast, the Chinese kid looks to be pilfering gas from his own country's oil wells, which is merely a police, not military matter*.

*OK, maybe for the Chinese it would automatically be a military matter, given their recent history.

At first glance I thought it was an innovative way to capture methane. Feed beans in one end and …