Chinese demand for natural gas is forecast to rise by 10 percent this year, a slower growth rate than in previous years, as slowing economic growth impacts demand, state-run Sinopec Gas Company said on Tuesday. “Due to the macroeconomic situation and the government’s easing push to the coal-to-gas program, China’s gas consumption growth is slowing,” Reuters quoted a Sinopec official as saying, reading prepared remarks of deputy chief economist Wu Gangqiang. Between January and September 2019, China’s natural gas imports increased by 10 percent compared to the same period of 2018, according to government data cited by Reuters. Total gas consumption for full 2019 is seen rising by just 10 percent, down from the 17-percent growth last year, according to Sinopec. The company’s estimates mirror the official estimates of the government showing that the slowing economic growth in China is taking a toll on gas demand growth. Chinese government […]