Cuts to Dutch gas production, French nuclear troubles and a court case impacting Russian pipe flows combined to give a sharp upwards boost to spot gas prices in Europe in mid-September. This fed through to spot LNG prices worldwide as Asian buyers raised their bids to ensure they could compete for required winter supplies. As […]
Energy Connections
Freeport LNG set for first cargo, storage talk grows
The 5.0 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) US Freeport LNG train one was getting ready to load its first cargo in August, adding the prospect of further downward pressure on an already soft spot LNG market. Meanwhile, talk about the possibility of storage plays was growing, as traders considered using vessels as floating cargo storage, […]
LNG spreads tighten, Gulf braces for storm
Spot LNG prices held below $5.00/MMBtu in the four weeks from mid-June to mid-July on the back of continued strong supply in the global market. However, spreads between regions were tightening up in the middle of July as European gas prices strengthened on the back of Norwegian maintenance outages. Meanwhile, the approach of Tropical Storm […]
Spot LNG falls, but tensions in Gulf
Spot LNG prices remained low around the world in mid-June, prompting continued speculation over whether US producers might cut back output later this year to re-balance the market. New projects continue to come into operation, including the loading of the first cargo from Australia’s 3.6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) Prelude facility and the start-up […]
Spot LNG prices steady at low levels
Global spot LNG prices held steady over the four weeks from mid-April to mid-May, remaining at a low level compared to last year, with no major changes to near-term supply/demand fundamentals. The ICIS East Asia Index for June averaged at $5.386/MMBtu across the period, rebounding 14% from the previous month, but down 32% from last […]
Spot LNG rebounds from $4/MMBtu lows
Global spot LNG prices fell to their lowest levels of the year in late-March and the lowest levels seen since summer 2016. There was a rapid rebound in the middle of April, however, raising questions as to whether prices below $5.00/MMBtu had just been a temporary dip, or could return later in the year when […]
Global spot LNG prices slide below $6/MMBtu
Global LNG markers dropped below $6/MMBtu over the last four weeks, with prices in major import regions closely aligned, limiting the potential for arbitrage between Atlantic and Pacific basins. Mild weather in north Asia and Europe has reduced heating demand, while new liquefaction projects continue to make progress, boosting supply. The East Asia Index (EAX) […]
Mild weather sees spot LNG slide continue
Continued mild weather in Asia and Europe over the last four weeks has seen global spot LNG prices continue their decline. It has also opened up questions about how low the market could settle in the summer if high inventories at the end of winter reduce the need for restocking over summer, at the same […]
Asia spot LNG remains bearish
The global spot LNG market remained in a bearish mood from mid-December to mid-January, as relatively mild weather in Asia this winter continued to limit demand to levels that could be comfortably met by current supply. Even a few unexpected problems at production plants in early January did little to boost the market. The ICIS […]
Asia spot LNG drops below 2017 and 2016 levels
Asia spot LNG prices have continued to slide lower in recent weeks, falling below the levels seen in December 2016 and 2017 despite most of the current year having been stronger than the two before. The ICIS front-month East Asia Index plummeted from $10.850/MMBtu on 16 November by more than two dollars to $8.525/MMBtu on […]
Jump to page: