IN BRIEF (Page 3)

Energy consumption

China cut average energy consumption by 2.9 percent on year in the first quarter, as a major stimulus package helped save energy while maintaining economic growth, the government said on April 30. The decline of energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product in the first three months was larger than a drop of 2.6 percent recorded in the same period last year, the National Bureau of Statistics said. Overall energy consumption grew only 3.04 percent in the first quarter from last year, while the economy expanded 6.1 percent, the bureau said in a statement.

Linde Gas

The Linde Group has signed and sealed a contract with Sinopec Sichuan Vinylon Works (SVW) to jointly build gas plants and produce industrial gases for the long-term supply to SVW's chemical complex. This collaboration will result in an initial investment of approximately 50 million euros. This partnership will also see through the establishment of a 50-50 joint venture between Linde Gas (Hong Kong) Ltd. and SVW in Chongqing Chemical Industrial Park by June 2009.

Nuclear power show

The 8th International Exhibition on Nuclear Power Industry 2009, China's leading nuclear trade exhibition, was held in Beijing recently. Over 200 enterprises from 15 countries attended this year's event.

China's leading nuclear power companies, such as China National Nuclear Corp, China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group, and State Nuclear Power technology Corp, all showcased their most advanced technology at the exhibition.

Foreign nuclear power giants such as Areva and Alstom also displayed their cooperation projects with Chinese partners at the event.

CNOOC's output

China's top offshore oil and gas producer CNOOC Ltd produced 15 percent more oil and gas in the first quarter, but its total revenue fell 42 percent due to the sharp fall in crude prices. CNOOC said in a statement on April 29 that its overall oil and gas output rose to 566,860 barrels of oil equivalent in the January to March period.

CBW -- Agencies

(China Daily 05/04/2009 page3)