Chinese gas outlook in doubt on weak Jiangsu demand
Multiple economic impacts of the pandemic are stacked up against the nation’s ambitious gas strategy
Jiangsu, China’s largest provincial gas market, is set to miss an annual demand target for the fuel that previously looked within reach—raising questions about the outlook for the overall Chinese gas market for the rest of this year as the prolonged pandemic depresses global economic output. Jiangsu, part of the economically vibrant Yangtze River Delta region on China’s eastern seaboard, reported apparent consumption of 16.74bn m³ from January to August. A comparative figure for the same eight months of 2019 was not disclosed, but calculations by Petroleum Economist using released figures for individual demand categories indicate overall consumption declined by 5.6pc year-on-year The drop w
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices






