CNPC to Raise Gas Output This Year

China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) plans to raise its natural gas output to 79.3 billion-82.1 billion cubic metres (bcm) this year, the company said Tuesday.

That would amount to at least 5 percent more than the 75.5 bcm of gas CNPC produced in 2011.

Reuters has reported that the company will aim to improve its technological capability in developing coalbed methane gas and shale gas and push forward gas storage construction.