China's 2018 Gas Consumption Rises 18%
China’s natural gas consumption in 2018 stood at 280.3bn m3, up 18.1% year-on-year, according to data published December 31 by the state planning agency, the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC).
Since production last year, at 161bn m3, was well below consumption, the deficit was met by imported gas. China’s natural gas imports in 2018 saw a sharp 31.9% year-on-year growth. According to Chinese customs department data published January 14, the country imported 90.38mn metric tons of natural gas (pipeline and LNG) last year.
China’s LNG imports last year were at record levels. According to customs data released January 23, Asia's biggest economy imported 53.78mn metric tons of LNG last year, up 41.2% on 2017.