HOUSTON, March 13 (Xinhua)-- The Chinese natural gas sector would see increasing competition and a greater number of players in the supply side building upon the expected establishment of a unified national gas pipeline operating company, an industry insider has said.

It's highly possible that China would unveil the national natural gas pipeline company in 2019 with all existing trunk gas pipelines and some LNG receiving terminals integrated into the new platform, said Chen Gang, assistant general manager with Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange (SHPGX), at a panel discussion of the CERAWeek conference on Wednesday.

The establishment of the national gas pipeline company would make it possible to separate transmission and marketing of natural gas, Chen said. "The fair access of natural gas pipeline to the third party would have realistic foundation."

Natural gas suppliers would be diversified after the separation of transmission and marketing of natural gas, said Chen, adding that the price system of natural gas would become more enriched and the trading of pipeline gas would start to take off.

In the first place, all downstream players could choose from PetroChina, Sinopec Corp. or China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), according to Chen.

Now Chinese state-owned oil and gas companies have an integrated business mode with PetroChina contributing to the majority of domestic gas production and sales.

Chen predicted that China would have over 10 market players in the supply side, which would be a big step forward for downstream players.

Chinese town gas companies could move to the upstream and international oil companies could enter Chinese downstream gas market by tapping the national natural gas pipeline company, according to Chen.

Efforts would be made to step up the construction of gas infrastructure following the establishment of the national gas pipeline company, Chen added.

SHPGX and CNOOC would continue to issue third-party access products with LNG receiving terminals in 2019 with a long-term contract and the spot trading mode available, said Chen.

The establishment of a national oil and gas pipeline company would be subject to the reform of national petroleum and natural gas system and the proper timing of unveiling the national oil and gas pipeline company is under discussion, said Wang Yilin, chairman of PetroChina in early March.