China's National Energy Administration (NEA) has convened a special meeting to assess the natural gas supply and demand situation for the 2026-2027 heating season, urging oil and gas companies to secure adequate and stable supply for the winter peak.

The meeting, held to implement decisions on safeguarding national energy security amid the Middle East situation, analyzed the gas supply-demand outlook for the coming winter and spring and outlined priorities for the next stage, the NEA said.

During the 14th "Five-Year Plan" period, China's natural gas production, supply, storage and sales system has been continuously improved, with enhanced market resilience and a more robust supply guarantee mechanism, the meeting noted. Gas supply remained stable and orderly during this year's summer peak, effectively offsetting severe fluctuations in international market resources.

The meeting stressed that heating season gas supply concerns the immediate interests of the public and remains a challenge due to ongoing turbulence in the Middle East as well as natural disasters and extreme weather. It called on all units to heighten their sense of responsibility and ensure adequate, price-stable gas supply during the winter peak.

Oil and gas companies, as the main force in gas supply, were urged to adopt a bottom-line approach and problem-oriented strategy with forward-looking planning and multiple measures. Upstream suppliers should boost domestic exploration and production, accelerate gas injection to ensure underground storage facilities are full before winter and coastal LNG tanks maintain high liquid levels, and refine contingency plans to safeguard their own market supply.

China Oil & Gas Pipeline Network Corp (PipeChina) was told to advance major projects and reverse-schedule work to ensure gas infrastructure is operational on time. Provinces including Hebei should draw on past experience, assume primary responsibility for supply, strengthen supply-demand coordination and ensure national policies are implemented.