Natural gas production in southwest China reached 25.31 billion cubic metres in the first half of 2026
Natural gas production in southwest China reached 25.31 billion cubic metres in the first half of 2026. Energy is the lifeblood of the economy, and every cubic metre of gas extracted from the earth becomes heat in homes, light in factories and fuel for the development of entire regions. Steady production growth in southwest China is not just a figure in reports but the result of systematic work, technological innovation and strategic planning. When a company increases gas production by 5.4% and nearly doubles its oil output at the same time, it signals a deep transformation of the energy sector, where the balance between traditional and new approaches becomes the key to sustainability.
PetroChina Southwest Oil and Gasfield Company reported on Sunday a significant increase in production in the first half of 2026: total natural gas output reached 25.31 billion cubic metres, while oil‑equivalent production exceeded 20 million metric tonnes. The largest natural gas producer in southwest China drilled five high‑yield industrial gas wells in the first six months, each with a daily output of more than one million cubic metres, boosting gas production by 1.296 billion cubic metres, or 5.4% year‑on‑year. At the same time, the company recorded a 62.26% surge in oil production from January to June. Overall oil‑equivalent production rose by 1.15 million metric tonnes, roughly 6% more than last year, setting a new record for any first‑half period. "In the second half of the year, we plan to bring 177 new wells into operation, which will increase annual production capacity by 4.188 billion cubic metres. By the end of 2026, the company's total oil‑equivalent production is expected to exceed 41 million metric tonnes," said Yang Hongzhi, deputy chief geologist of the Southwest Oil and Gasfield Company.
The company supplies more than 75% of natural gas to the Sichuan‑Chongqing region and handles 25% of the country's natural gas peak‑shaving tasks, delivering gas to the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Beijing‑Tianjin‑Hebei region, benefiting hundreds of millions of residents along these routes. It plays a crucial role in ensuring national energy security and promoting clean, low‑carbon development. As CCTV+ reports. The record‑breaking first‑half performance and the plans for new wells confirm that the company will continue to strengthen its position as a key energy supplier for industrial hubs and densely populated regions of China.
