新天然气：首次覆盖报告：领跑煤层气景气赛道，气源放量助力成长

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for the company, marking its first coverage [4][7]. Core Views - The company accelerates its upstream gas source layout, establishing an integrated natural gas industry chain. By investing in leading coalbed methane developer Yamei Energy and continuously expanding upstream projects, the company has become a rare private enterprise in China with its own gas sources, achieving a nearly integrated structure of "resources above, pipelines in the middle, and customers below." In 2023, the proportion of coalbed methane extraction and sales significantly increased to around 68% [3][4]. - The growth potential of unconventional gas is substantial, with long-term demand for natural gas remaining strong. Natural gas is the only clean low-carbon energy among the three major primary energy sources globally and is crucial during the energy transition. However, its consumption in China was only 9% in 2023, significantly lower than the global average of about 23%, indicating considerable growth potential under the "dual carbon" strategy [3][31]. - Resource advantages continue to strengthen, with multiple blocks accelerating growth. The acquisition of Yamei Energy has provided the company with coalbed methane development resources, including the Pan Zhuang and Ma Bi projects. In the first half of 2024, the Ma Bi block's production increased by approximately 59.90%, with an average selling price rising by about 12.04% [3][4]. Summary by Sections 1. Accelerating Upstream Gas Source Layout - The company is one of the few private gas enterprises in China with its own gas sources, primarily engaged in coalbed methane exploration and development, as well as urban natural gas distribution and sales [14]. - The company has maintained a high growth rate in performance, with a CAGR of approximately 11.25% from 2019 to 2023, despite a decline in 2020 due to the pandemic [20][28]. 2. Growth Potential of Unconventional Gas - Natural gas is a key transitional energy source in the "dual carbon" strategy, with significant room for growth in domestic consumption [31]. - The domestic coalbed methane geological resource is approximately 36.8 trillion cubic meters, with Shanxi Province being a major contributor [42]. 3. Resource Advantages and Growth Acceleration - The company has fully controlled Yamei Energy, enhancing its coalbed methane extraction and sales capabilities, and has established a comprehensive energy supply and service provider [65]. - The Pan Zhuang block has shown a consistent increase in production, with a CAGR of approximately 15.62% from 2017 to 2022, supported by breakthroughs in thin coal seam development technology [70].