The figure brings the total proven reserves in the Sulige field to 533.6 billion cubic metres.

Located in the rural part of Ordos City, the gas field is covered by desert and large-scale exploration did not begin until 1999. In 2001 the first estimates put the reserves at 220 billion cubic metres.

Gas transmission pipelines are being laid to supply natural gas from the field to Baotou and Hohhot cities in Inner Mongolia, according to the report.