China gas consumption up 24.50%

China’s natural gas consumption hit a five-month high of 10.3 billion cubic meters in July, which was also 24.5% more than last year, according to the latest figures released Monday by the National Development and Reform Commission. Apparent consumption for natural gas in February was also 10.3 Bcm, earlier figures by the NDRC showed. The country’s overall gas use has been widely expected to ramp up following the completion and startup in late June of the eastern section of the second West-to-East gas pipeline, which has enabled Central Asia gas to reach the southern province of Guangdong for the first time. Imports continued to climb in July, with total volume surging 102.4% year on year to 2.7 Bcm during the month, bringing imports in the first seven months 100% more year on year to 16.8 Bcm.