The average transaction price of domestically-produced LNG at factory gates/loading stations in China during this week (December 15–19, 2025) stood at 3,974 yuan per ton, down 2.93% month-on-month. During the week, snowfall exerted a notable impact on the logistics industry, resulting in an overall sluggish logistics market and lackluster trading activities. Affected by this, the demand for natural gas at gas-filling stations dropped markedly. Cargo transportation and sales at upstream LNG plants were hindered, leading to a gradual build-up of inventory pressure. Meanwhile, a sharp decline in imported LNG prices created a further drag effect. Driven by the combined impact of these factors, the price of domestically-produced natural gas witnessed a continuous downward trend.
On December 15, a forecast released by the research department of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) indicated that China’s natural gas consumption is expected to rise by 5% year-on-year in the next year. Additionally, natural gas consumption in the industrial and city gas sectors is projected to maintain steady growth in the coming years.
The predicted 5% growth in demand signals a trend of economic recovery. Official data shows that in the first 10 months of this year, China’s actual natural gas consumption edged down by 0.3% year-on-year, while LNG imports also fell by 16% compared with the same period last year.