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Asian area LNG cost flat on weak demand throughout China vacation

Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) remained flat for a second successive week, with purchasers staying away at the end of the cooling season and waiting for price levels to fall even more.

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

Asian LNG rates stayed largely stable today in spite of continuous geopolitical stress and a tried attack in the Middle East, said Ana Subasic, gas and LNG analyst at data and analytics company Kpler.

This stability is primarily due to weakened spot need following completion of the peak summer season cooling season and an increase in supply week-on-week.

Oil rates are headed for weekly gains of about 9% in the middle of an escalating conflict in the Middle East, as Israel weighs its alternatives after Iran introduced its largest ever attack at Israel on Tuesday.

Analysts in an ANZ Research study report also kept in mind that rising stocks in Japan saw buyers draw back from the area market, and some were reluctant to pay above $13.10/ mmBtu.

Inventories held by major Japanese utilities increased to 1.99 million lots as of Sept. 29, versus 1.63 million heaps on Sept. 22.

Need was also silenced as top importer China is off for its Golden Week holiday from Oct. 1-7.

In Europe, S&P Global Product Insights evaluated its daily North West Europe LNG Marker (NWM) rate benchmark for freights delivered in November on an ex-ship (DES) basis at $12.62/ mmBtu. on Oct. 3, a $0.21/ mmBtu discount rate to the November gas rate at. the Dutch TTF hub.

Argus evaluated the rate for November delivery at. $ 12.60/ mmBtu, while Glow Commodities examined it at. $ 12.683/ mmBtu.

European gains came mainly from extensions to Norwegian. upstream maintenance-- and some unplanned downtime-- while. occasions in the Middle East also triggered rate volatility at points. during the week, stated Samuel Good, head of LNG pricing at. commodity prices company Argus.

The majority of the market were less concerned about any disturbance. for trade streams through the Strait of Hormuz than they were for. any Israeli gas production interruptions which could affect. Egyptian LNG need.

In LNG freight, Atlantic rates succumbed to a 2nd straight. week to $51,500/ day on Friday, stated Spark Commodities analyst. Qasim Afghan.

Pacific rates continued decline for a 8th week, falling. to $59,500/ day.

Freight rates in both basins are presently at their most affordable. levels in 5 years for this time of year, stated Afghan.

(source: Reuters)