Xie Xuguang, from CNOOC Gas and Power Group's research centre, told a conference on Thursday that China's total gas demand may reach 396.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) this year.
"We're expecting industrial gas demand to recover in the second half.
Gas demand growth this year was seen at between 5.7% and 7.4%, according to estimates this week by ICIS, Energy Aspects and SIA Energy.
China's total gas demand was forecast to peak in 2040 at 700 bcm, Xie added, echoing a previous forecast by state major Sinopec.
Imports of both piped gas and liquefied natural gas were both expected to increase to meet rising domestic demand.
Persons:
Stringer, Xie Xuguang, Xie, CNOOC, Andrew Hayley, Chen Aizhu, Christian Schmollinger, Michael Perry
Organizations:
Sinopec, Inner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous, REUTERS, CNOOC Gas, Power, ICIS, SIA Energy, Imports, Thomson
Locations:
Erdos, Inner Mongolia, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, TIANJIN, Japan, Russia's, Siberia, Russia