China hopes to stimulate demand by cutting gas prices
The country will cut regulated gas prices in order to encourage demand
Gas demand expanded by only 3.3% year-on-year for the first half 2015 - its weakest level in over a decade - and actually turned negative in May. The regulated gas prices are among the highest in the world and significantly above the price of competing fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), coal and fuel oil. The government raised gas prices in August 2014, but oil prices have since fallen some 50%, prompting industry to switch back to cheaper oil and LPG. "Low oil is a key driver here both in terms of weakening gas demand but also keeping import prices low and thus making a cut in city gate prices bearable. I'd be surprised if we don't see this in the second half. By how much, very d
Also in this section
5 March 2026
Gas is a central pillar of Colombia’s energy system, but declining production poses a significant challenge, and LNG will be increasingly needed as a stopgap. A recent major offshore gas discovery offers hope, but policy improvements are also required, Camilo Morales, secretary general of Naturgas, the Colombian gas association, tells Petroleum Economist
4 March 2026
The continent’s inventories were already depleted before conflict erupted in the Middle East, causing prices to spike ahead of the crucial summer refilling season
4 March 2026
The US president has repeatedly promised to lower gasoline prices, but this ambition conflicts with his parallel aim to increase drilling and could be upended by his war against Iran
4 March 2026
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed following US-Israel strikes and Iran’s retaliatory escalation, Fujairah has become the region’s critical pressure release valve—and is now under serious threat
