Chinese demand for natural gas is expected to grow by 10% year-on-year this winter, as a Covid-19 recovery spurs higher residential and industrial consumption, state oil companies said on Thursday.

Presenting at a gas seminar in Beijing, the companies said demand during the 2020/21 peak winter season is estimated at 148 billion cubic meters (Bcm), which is an addition of 11.8 Bcm from last year.

Overall natural gas demand in China is set to be above 300 Bcm this year, with Sinopec forecasting it at 310 Bcm and CNOOC at 320-325 Bcm, Kallanish Energy notes.

A Chinese government report estimated earlier this year domestic gas demand to expand by 13 Bcm to reach 320 Bcm this year.

This post appeared first on Kallanish Energy News.