CNPC to expand gas distribution business

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the country's largest oil producer and the leading company in natural gas production and transportation, plans to increase its portfolio in the urban gas distribution sector.

The company will use its dominance in the upstream business, which is gas production and supplies, to further develop its gas retail operation, CNPC said on its website.

CNPC started its urban gas distribution business in 2000. In 2004 the company set up its professional gas distribution subsidiary in Beijing.