China 2010 LNG output hit 9 mln t

China's LNG output hit 9 mil lion metric tons in 2010, and is expected to reach 19 million tons in 2011, said Xu Bo, senior economist with Research Institute o f Economics and Technology of China National Petroleum Corp.

By the end of 2010, there had been three LNG terminals in operation in China with combined annual receiving capacity of 9.3 mil lion tons. The receiving capacity of theses three LNG terminals is expected to expand to 28.3 million tons/year.

Meanwhile, there are eight LNG terminals under construction, including CNOOC's LNG terminals in Ningbo, Jinwan and Jieyang, PetroChina's LNG terminals in Rudong, Dalian and Hebei, and Sinopec's LNG terminals in Qingdao and Dongguan. Total combined receiving capacity of the eight LNG terminals is designed at 67.5 million tons including 22.5 million tons/year for the first phase.

Xu disclosed that Sinopec is making preparations for a LN G project in Tieshan Port, Guangxi, which is waiting for government approval. CNOOC is also preparing a LNG project in Shenzhen and one more in Hainan. Besides, there are a number of LNG projects in contemplation, including CNOOC's LNG terminals in western Guangdong, Yingkou, Yancheng and Qinhuangdao, CNPC's LNG terminals in Dachanwan and Jinxi, and Sinopec's LNG terminals in Macao, Tianjin and Lianyungang.

China will give greater support for the construction of LNG terminals in future considering the pressure of energy conservation and emission reduction.

So far, China's natural gas market has entered into a fast development phase. Consumption of natural gas is expected to take up 9.2 percent of total primary energy consumption by 2020 and further u p to 10 percent by 2030.