IN BRIEF (Page 13)

Gear up, energy firms told

China National Petroleum Corp, China Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec) and China National Offshore Oil Corp have been told to operate at high rates and increase imports of the fuel to ease a shortage caused by a cold snap this month. Residences will get access to gas first while industrial users may get cuts in cases of deficits, the National Development and Reform Commission said yesterday.

Gas pipe ops likely by 2014