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China LNG imports might strike record levels in 2024, PetroChina authorities says

China's liquefied natural gas imports might hit record levels in 2024, a PetroChina main forecast on Wednesday.

The world's top importer of the super-chilled fuel is seen shipping between 78-80 million metric tons of LNG this year, with the industrial and commercial sectors driving need, Zhang Yaoyu, international head of LNG and new energies for PetroChina International, stated at a market conference in Bangkok.

Zhang's projection would be a 9-12% rise from the 71.2 million metric tons imported in 2023, according to China's custom-mades information.

China imported a record 78.8 million metric lots in 2021.

Based upon the very first quarter data, that's possible, said Zhang.

He stated China has delivered almost 20 million lots of LNG currently in the very first quarter of this year, with the chemicals, paper, steel and cement markets driving demand development.

Besides, we have not seen winter season (demand) yet.

For power plants in China, nevertheless, LNG costs would need to drop to listed below $6 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). for consumption to get, included Zhang, who talked to on. the sidelines of the Future Energy Asia conference.

Asia area LNG prices had actually traded as low as around $8/mmBtu in. February this year, its lowest in nearly three years, amidst weak. need in Asia and Europe. However hotter weather and supply. issues have given that pushed rates up to $10.50/ mmBtu. << LNG-AS >

Zhang stated he anticipates coal to support grid stability in. China and did not see greater LNG adoption in power generation. amidst increasing renewable resource use.

You can't exclusively count on eco-friendly power. The reliability,. that's not going to be simple. However having stated that, the base is. still coal.