Domestic oil and gas supplies grow steadily (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-01-31 10:57
China has experienced a stable growth in its domestic oil and gas supplies
over the last five years, according to the National Development and Reform
Commission (NDRC).
Statistics show that China's crude oil output increased from 165 million tons
in 2000 to 183 million tons in 2005, and the output of natural gas rose from 27
billion cubic meters to 47.5 billion cubic meters.
New breakthroughs in oil and gas exploration were made in the past five years
as the traditional oil fields in East China, such as Daqing, maintained a steady
growth.
Oil fields capable of producing high yields were discovered in west China
including Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and
Qinghai, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, and in offshore China's Bohai Bay.
Between 2000 and 2005, six large-scale natural gas zones were discovered in
the Tarim, Ordos, Sichuan and Qaidam basins, in the South China Sea and in the
East China Sea.
Petroleum and natural gas began to play bigger roles in China's energy
consumption structure.
In 2000, 16.6 percent of China's energy demand was met by petroleum, in 2005
it was 22.7 percent. Consumption of natural gas rose from 2.1 percent in 2000 to
2.6 percent in 2005.
China strengthened infrastructure during this period to support the soaring
oil and gas demand of the country.
The great pipeline carrying natural gas from China's energy-rich West to the
energy-thirsty East was completed at the end of 2004.
By the end of the following year, China had built up a basic pipeline network
for natural gas stretching 24,000 kilometers, with 20,000 kilometers for oil
products.
Between 2000 and 2005, China amended relevant regulations for closer
cooperation with foreign partners.
By the end of 2005, China had signed a total of more than 200 contracts with
foreign petroleum partners, attracting foreign capital of over 9.3 billion U.S.
dollars and boasting contracted acreage of over 1.05 million square
kilometers.
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