Coke in China

Coca-Cola is planning to more than double its number of bottling plants in China over the coming decade as part of the group’s aim to triple the size of its sales to the country’s rapidly emerg ing middle class, accord ing to a report in the Fin ancial Times. It also plans to distribute more than six times as many Coke- branded coolers to retail ers, bars and restaurants in China over the coming decade, employing an ex panded sales force to reach an additional 4.7 million outlets.

Reliance buy

Reliance Industries of India is offering — accord ing to one published re port — at least $12 billion to buy a controlling stake in LyondellBasell, the bankrupt chemicals and fuels maker. LyondellBa sell, which has an oil refin ery in Houston, is a unit of New York-based Access Industries Holdings LLC, founded by billionaire Len Blavatnik.

Cheaper gas

The nationwide average price of regular gasoline fell to $2.6477 a gallon on lower demand tied to ris ing unemployment and a recent decline in the price of crude. Gas lost 3.64 cents in the two weeks ended Nov. 20, according to a survey of 5,000 sta tions by analyst Trilby Lundberg.

Saudi surplus

Saudi Arabia may avert a budget deficit and re cord a surplus this year as rising oil prices boost rev enues. When it an nounced this year’s bud get last Dec. 22, the world’s largest oil pro ducer forecast a $17 bil lion deficit. Oil prices have more than doubled to $77 since a low of $34.