China’s shale gas output has already grown by about 20pc a year since 2017 - Jingying Zhao/GettyChina is on track to become the world’s third-largest gas producer after rapidly expanding its fracking capabilities. Initial efforts have already led to China’s natural gas production hitting a record high last year, rising 6pc to 262 billion cubic metres. China’s shale gas output has already grown by about 20pc a year since 2017, having started fracking in 2012. Last year, the cumulative amount of shale gas extracted surpassed 100 billion cubic metres. China has 1,100 trillion cubic feet of estimated shale gas reserves, compared with 600 trillion cubic feet in the US.