Suppliers hitting the gas

Firms finding methods to increase supply as demand for clean energy grows in northern regions

China's battle against air pollution has had an unintended consequence: a shortage of heating fuel supply is affecting many northern cities this winter, boosting domestic prices for natural gas to a three-year high.

Analysts believe the soaring demand for liquefied natural gas, the slow construction of pipelines to import more supply and the lack of gas storage facilities have all contributed to the country's gas shortage, despite a global supply glut of natural gas.