China’s gas imports strengthen in first third of 2016
Sinopec's Guangxi LNG terminal, which started operations in April. (Tat Hong Holdings)
China ramped up its gas imports in the first four months of this year in an encouraging sign for global LNG suppliers struggling with an oversupplied market.
Imports between January and April reached 19.11 mt, with annual growth accelerating sharply to 23.4% from 13.3% for the same period in 2015. LNG accounted for 7.9 mt of China’s gas imports, up by 18.5% year on year, while piped volumes climbed by 27.1%, to 11.2 mt. Despite mild weather in April, LNG imports over the month were up by 22.1%, to 1.88 mt, while piped volumes were up by 30.9%, to 2.79 mt.