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Asian spot LNG price flat amidst warm demand

Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices were flat today amidst lukewarm demand in northeast Asia, though heat in Japan weighed on inventories held by major utilities.

The typical LNG rate for November shipment into north-east Asia << LNG-AS > was at $13.10 per million British thermal systems ( mmBtu), market sources estimated.

Market belief has actually stayed bearish today, with comfy inventory levels in China and total restricted timely spot activities in Northeast Asia, said Siamak Adibi, director for gas and LNG supply analytics at FGE, though adding that Northeast Asian purchasers like Taiwan's CPC and South Korea's Kogas had obtained some cargoes for November and December delivery.

In Europe, underground gas storage is likewise at about 93%. complete, decreasing the immediate requirement for LNG cargoes in the prompt. market ... This condition is most likely to stay the same until we. see a decline in temperature levels.

In Japan, the 2nd leading LNG importer, inventories held by. significant utilities reduced to 1.64 million lots since Sept. 22,. versus 1.87 million lots on Sept. 15.

Low stocks in Japan might prompt buyers to go into the. market a bit previously to protect freights in preparation for the. cold months, included FGE's Adibi.

While the LNG market's supply situation looks comfortable. for the time being, there will be stronger competitors between. Europe and Asia for freights if temperature levels begin to drop below. the previous 3 winter seasons, said Florence Schmit, energy. strategist at Rabobank London.

Asia will stay the premium market also this winter season, however. we require to take a look at what higher demand now means for markets next. year, she stated.

In Europe, S&P Global Product Insights assessed its everyday. North West Europe LNG Marker (NWM) price benchmark for cargoes. provided in November on an ex-ship (DES) basis at $12.375/ mmBtu. on Sept. 26, a $0.215/ mmBtu discount to the November gas price. at the Dutch TTF center.

Argus assessed the price for November delivery at. $ 12.40/ mmBtu, while Glow Commodities evaluated the October rate. at $12.225/ mmBtu.

Europe benchmark gas costs were affected today by a. chillier weather report for completion of the month and October,. and changes to Norwegian maintenance blackouts and supply.

The development of a tender from Turkey's Botas - which was. for more freights than some had previously expected - on top. of anticipated Egyptian winter season demand helped to further tighten the. Atlantic market this week, said Samuel Good, head of LNG. pricing at product rates agency Argus.

In LNG freight, Atlantic prices fell to $57,750/ day on. Friday, counteracting gains seen recently and additional delaying. the expected winter rally, stated Glow Commodities analyst Qasim. Afghan.

Pacific rates continued to decline for a seventh week;. Afghan added, falling to $64,000/ day, the biggest week-on-week. reduction in Pacific rates given that January.

(source: Reuters)