Ndrc: open pricing to spur exploration, production

China will give unconventional natural gas pricing rights to producers and downstream users, which will boost exploration and production, the country's economy planner said on Tuesday.

Producers of shale gas, coal-bed methane, coal gas and imported liquefied natural gas will be able to sign contracts for purchases and transportation, the National Development and Reform Commission said.

The upstream companies and users can decide on contract prices instead of applying the standard pipeline prices set by the authorities, which means the government has opened up the pricing mechanism for unconventional natural gas, including gas delivered through pipelines.