China is working to have natural gas account for eight percent of its energy consumption by the year 2020, from the present two percent, according to the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

A CNPC expert said Wednesday China is expected to produce 100 billion cubic meters a year by 2020, equivalent to 100 million tons of crude oil, based on an anticipated increase in its proven gas reserves at an annual average rate of 120 billion cubic meters between 2001 and 2020.

China has started a nationwide gas pipeline project to accelerate the use of gas, said the CNPC source.

Priority has been given to laying gas pipelines extending from major gas production bases in Sichuan Province, the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to developed areas in north and northeast parts of China as well in the Yangtze River and Pearl River deltas.

A long-distance gas pipeline running from Shaanxi to Beijing has been completed and is now operational.