CHINA’S natural gas consumption rose 17.6 percent in January from the same month last year, reaching 22.3 billion cubic meters (bcm), China’s State planning commission said Friday.

    Production was up 4.1 percent on the year to 13.1 bcm, the National Development and Reform Commission said in a statement on its website.

    Refinery runs of crude oil fell 1.8 percent on the year in January to 38.66 million tons, or 9.1 million barrels per day.

    Crude output dropped 2.1 percent to 17.69 million tons, or 4.17 million barrels per day.

    The country’s National Bureau of Statistics does not release standalone production figures for January.

    Its production figures generally differ from those released by the National Development and Reform Commission.

    (SD-Agencies)