Jul. 19, 2012 (China Knowledge) - China saw its output of natural gas increase 6.7% YoY to 53.9 billion cubic meters in the first half of this year, said the National Development and Reform Commission in a statement published on its website.

The country's natural gas output fell 4.3% YoY in the first quarter and then rose 0.3% in the second quarter.

China imported 19.8 billion cu m of natural gas from January to June, 44.6% more than in the same period of last year.

The apparent consumption of natural gas amounted to 72.1 billion cu m in the first six months, up 15.9% YoY. It rose 19.7% YoY in the first quarter and 11.9% in the second quarter.