URUMQI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Over 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas has been delivered to southern Xinjiang to support their gas consumption this year, according to the Tarim Oilfield of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China's leading oil and gas producer, on Sunday.

Up to now, the total gas supply from the Tarim Oilfield to southern Xinjiang has reached 43 billion cubic meters, benefiting residents in five prefectures of southern Xinjiang.

So far, more than 3,000 km of pipes have been installed, providing natural gas to 42 counties and cities. This year, six more gas-supply stations have been set up, according to CNPC's Tarim oilfield company.

Located in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Tarim Basin is a major petroliferous basin in China, producing one-sixth of the country's total production of natural gas. Enditem