April 22, 2002
Osaka Gas announces its gas sales results in fiscal 2002

During the fiscal year 2002 which ended March 31, 2002, Osaka Gas recorded the total gas sales of 7,309 million cubic meters. It was lower by 1.3% over the previous year. The overall decline in the volume is attributed to temperature factors and the sluggish economic conditions in the service area of the company.

The sales profile in each customer category is as shown below.

[Residential]
In the same year, gas demand for residential customers dropped by 2.2% over the year earlier, reaching 2,194 million cubic meters. This was primarily due to higher temperatures in the peak winter months of January-March 2002.

[Industrial]
The company recorded the industrial gas sales of 3,547 million cubic meters, down 3% over the previous year. The decline of sales in this sector has been accounted for by lower level of industrial activities in the service area under the sluggish economic situation, despite Osaka GasŐ marketing efforts directed to cultivating new gas demand for cogeneration systems, boilers, and other industrial applications.

[Commercial]
The gas sales in the sector, including the gas use in government offices and medical institutions, rose to 1,435 million cubic meters, up 3.8% from last year. The growth in sales is attributable to new installations of cogeneration systems and gas heat-pump cooling systems.

[Utility wholesale]
The wholesale volume of gas to other gas utilities rose 6.9% and reached 132 million cubic meters.