On increased demand from industrial projects and oilfields, the sultanate's total gas consumption jumped 7.4% during the January-June period of this year. Total gas consumption rose to 20,463 million cubic metres (mncm) in the first six months of 2016 from 19,061mncm in the same period of the previous year, according to statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Natural gas consumed by industrial projects jumped 9.2% to 11,643mncm, accounting for nearly 57% of country's total gas consumption. Gas use in the oilfields - where gas is largely used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects and as fuel - jumped by 12.5% to 4,651mncm, accounting for approximately 23% of total consumption. However, gas consumption in power generation decreased by 2.3% to 3,853mncm from 3,943mncm. Through the introduction of more efficient plants, the Oman Power and Water Procurement Co has improved system efficiency and the utilisation of gas. (Muscat Daily)