
The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. As a clean and low-carbon transitional fuel, natural gas is gaining strategic importance in the energy transition. China, one of the world’s largest importers and consumers of natural gas, has demonstrated strong resilience over the past five years, achieving breakthroughs in consumption, supply security, infrastructure expansion, market-oriented reform and technological innovation. This progress lays a solid foundation for high-quality development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
The year 2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan and presents a critical window of opportunity for China’s natural gas sector, characterized by both prospects and challenges. Policy support is expected to continue driving consumption. Combined with lower gas prices, domestic natural gas consumption is poised to reach new heights in 2026. The global LNG market is shifting from tight to looser supply, with notable price drops in Europe and Asia, creating favorable opportunities for Chinese buyers to optimize import portfolios. Meanwhile, the acceleration of the green transition is expected to spur the scaling of technologies such as CCUS, hydrogen blending and biomethane, while innovative integration models linking natural gas with renewables are likely to open new growth pathways for the industry.
Nevertheless, the industry also faces multiple uncertainties. Rising global economic volatility, trade tensions and geopolitical risks may weaken gas demand in export-oriented industries. Sourcing strategies for certain piped gas and LNG imports remain uncertain. In addition, gas demand recovery in sectors closely linked to real estate and traditional infrastructure sectors remains slow. The rapid expansion of renewable power generation and advances in new energy storage technologies also pose challenges to the operation of gas power plants.
This conference will convene government representatives, industry leaders, research institutions, financial organizations and other key stakeholders to help industry players navigate 2026 market trends, understand policy direction and address key challenges from shifting supply-demand dynamics and technological innovation to market reform and the low-carbon transition. Attendees will gain in-depth policy insights, analyze market trends, exchange views on cutting-edge technologies and explore new business models. Whether you are engaged in upstream exploration and production, midstream storage and transportation or downstream distribution and marketing, this conference will provide essential industry intelligence, networking opportunities and a platform for collaboration.
Topics to be discussed Policy Insights:China’s Natural Gas Market Growth (2026-2030) Import Dynamics: A Loosening Supply Landscape Reshapes Global Trade Market Evolution: Infrastructure, Competition & Market Power LNG Market Focus: Navigating Futures, Terminals and Plant Viability We cordially invite industry colleagues to join us in shaping the future of natural gas and charting a course toward high-quality development in the sector.
Academy of Macroeconomic Research
The Academy of Macroeconomic Research is a research institution directly under China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). As the sole national-level think tank in China specializing in macroeconomic theory and policy, it provides critical advisory support for national decision-making. Characterized by its proximity to national macroeconomic management and decision-making bodies, deep grounding in China’s development realities, and a comprehensive range of disciplines, the Academy primarily focuses on applied research and policy studies.
China Oil and Gas Approved by the State Council and supervised by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), PipeChina is a crucial state-owned enterprise in China’s infrastructure sector. It is primarily engaged in the investment, construction, and operation of oil and gas trunk pipeline networks, storage, and peak-shaving facilities. Its core responsibilities include: ensuring the interconnectivity of trunk pipelines and third-party pipeline access, scheduling and coordinating the operation of the national oil and gas pipeline network, and regularly publishing available pipeline transmission capacity and LNG terminal processing capacity to ensure fair and open access to infrastructure for all users. The company operates a pipeline network of approximately 104,300 kilometers, covering 30 provincial-level regions and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Its infrastructure also includes 8 underground gas storage facilities and 8 LNG terminals.
China Waterborne Transport Approved by the State Council and supervised by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), PipeChina is a crucial state-owned enterprise in China’s infrAs the earliest established and largest comprehensive scientific research institution in China’s waterborne transportation sector, WTI focuses on high-tech research, industry development consulting, engineering design and contracting, new technology and product development, as well as technical management training. Since its establishment, the institute has completed a series of national and ministerial-level major research projects across different historical periods. It has led numerous significant scientific research initiatives, achieving a range of important results and creating many "firsts" in the history of China’s water transport science and technology. These contributions have strongly supported the vigorous development of China’s water transport industry.
CNOOC Energy Economics Institute
As the strategic advisory body and support center for business decision-making and management innovation within the CNOOC Group, it also serves as the center for major project evaluation, consultation, energy economics research, and external exchange of information. It is the in-house think tank directly under CNOOC Group. The institute aims to become a key intellectual engine for the high-quality development of the natural gas industry through strategic guidance, market empowerment, project support, and transition driving. It effectively connects the government, enterprises, and the market, promoting a greater role for natural gas in the energy transition.
