China's natural gas industry is growing rapidly as rural-urban migration surges forward on an unabated path. The country is at present the fourth largest consumer of natural gas in the world, with its measured consumption rate at 12.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2011, up from 10.4 Bcf/d in 2010.

China's natural gas consumption is set to increase as the country has pledged to reduce its reliance on traditional sources of energy. According to China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011 to 2015), natural gas consumption is targeted to double from the current 4.4 percent of national energy usage to mitigate the effects of rapidly rising energy demand.

Industry executives wishing to guide their companies through this inchoate booming period of natural gas need to be equipped with the knowledge of issues such as China's natural gas reform and market deregulation initiatives to understand how best to position themselves in this booming market.

Through its upcoming China Natural Gas Summit 2012 (CNGS 2012) – a two day high-level summit taking place in Beijing – event organizer Business Media China will offer industry leaders a unique opportunity to interact with their peers from throughout the world.

The luxurious Westin Beijing Chaoyang will serve as the venue for the Nov. 14-15 summit, where C-level executives, government officials and other key decision makers will discuss their views on the natural gas market, both from a global and Asian perspective.

A noteworthy feature of the event is the keynote speech by International Energy Agency's Senior Gas Expert Anne-Sophie Corbeau. She will be speaking on China's gas demand and its impact on global gas market developments, as well as reveal the golden rules that apply to gas development in the Chinese market. Delegates will also hear the views from key decision bodies such as the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Land and Resources. State-owned enterprises China National Petroleum Corporation and Sinopec will also be disclosing their latest natural gas development plans at this summit.

Besides having an insight into the latest project developments, topical issues such as incentives to spur shale gas and coal bed methane development and the evolution of natural gas spot trading will also be addressed.

The summit is already more than 80 percent sold out, so CNGS encourages international national oil companies, independent oil companies, government agencies, electric utilities, oil service companies, technology providers, drilling services providers, seismic equipment providers, banks and law firms to sign up now to ensure their seats at this must-visit summit.