China gas sellers sidestep state giants to ride demand surge

Shanghai

CHINA'S independent energy firms are seeking to circumvent the country's state-backed giants as they cash in on swelling natural gas use, buoyed by President Xi Jinping's drive for cleaner fuels and nimbler companies.

New import facilities developed by firms including Guanghui Energy Co and ENN Group offer direct access to cheap liquefied natural gas (LNG) and cut their reliance on supply and infrastructure controlled by the country's national oil companies. That may help new players tap China's booming gas demand, up 15 per cent in the first half of the year.