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The world's gas > Consumption and demand > Growing consumption in China
Growing consumption in China
The growth in energy demand in China is unstoppable. Among other reasons, the country is promoting natural gas to alleviate the pollution suffered by its cities, 16 of which are among the most contaminated in the world. Some studies talk of the premature death of about 750,000 people a year due to atmospheric pollution.
In 2020, it is possible that demand in China will exceed 200 bcm, with production possibly around 120 bcm a year. Imports by then would be quite substantial.
China is acting accordingly. In Shanghai construction of the Yangshan terminal has begun. It is expected to start processing gas from Malaysia in 2009. There are also plans to build an LNG terminal in Hong Kong, which should be working in 2012. In April the green light was given for construction of the Rudong terminal, in the province of Jiangsu, in the east of the country. It is expected that China will import 10 million tonnes of LNG in 2010.
NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION WORLDWIDE (109 m3)
Evolution by key geographic areas
 
  • North America
  • Central and S. America
  • Europe-OECD (1)
  • W. Europe and CIS
  • Africa
  • Middle East
  • Asia-Oceania
  • TOTAL
1975
  • 618,2
  • 44,0
  • 194,7
  • 337,2
  • 5,6
  • 28,0
  • 35,8
  • 1.263,5
1980
  • 628,4
  • 62,7
  • 235,4
  • 457,1
  • 18,6
  • 41,5
  • 75,1
  • 1.518,8
1985
  • 547,3
  • 73,6
  • 253,8
  • 665,5
  • 29,4
  • 60,8
  • 111,8
  • 1.742,2
1990
  • 612,4
  • 85,5
  • 290,1
  • 792,1
  • 39,5
  • 95,1
  • 153,6
  • 2.068,3
1995
  • 682,8
  • 101,2
  • 351,4
  • 663,8
  • 47,8
  • 139,8
  • 217,1
  • 2.203,9
2000
  • 723,2
  • 132,8
  • 431,0
  • 659,6
  • 59,5
  • 192,2
  • 293,8
  • 2.491,9
2005
  • 705,4
  • 168,9
  • 536,2
  • 653,8
  • 81,2
  • 262,9
  • 392,0
  • 2.800,4
2006
  • 715,3
  • 181,4
  • 540
  • 650
  • 83,2
  • 290,8
  • 417,5
  • 2.878,2
2007
  • 742
  • 190,2
  • 524,7
  • 658,8
  • 90,2
  • 299,5
  • 445,9
  • 2.951,3
2007 (%)
  • 25,1
  • 6,4
  • 17,8
  • 22,3
  • 3,1
  • 10,1
  • 15,1
  • 100,0
(1) EU 25 plus Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.

Source: CEDIGAZ
Annual
Report
07
  • BP
    BP
Annual Report 2.007: Sedigas - The Spanish Gas Association