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Asian spot LNG prices jump 10%

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LNG Industry,


Reuters reports that Asian spot LNG prices have jumped more than 10% on bullish tender results, however the rally may lose steam as prices near oil-link contract parity levels ahead of a public holiday in China and South Korea next week.

Spot prices LNG-AS for November delivery rose 80 cents to US$8.40 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). December contracts are trading at strong premiums to November.

Two major tender awards this week underscored Asian markets’ demand.

Papua New Guinea LNG (PNG) sold a November cargo at around US$8.50 – US$8.60 per mmBtu, while sales of January and March cargoes fetched a premium, traders said.

“January was the highest price in the high US$8‘s, slightly below 15% of Brent,” a trade source said.

PNG launched a four-cargo sell tender recently for two November-loading cargoes and one cargo apiece in January and March.

At the same time, Chinese state-run energy giant CNOOC concluded its four-cargo buy tender, paying about US$8.40 per mmBtu for November supply.

Unexpectedly strong Chinese demand has helped spur spot prices 55% higher from their 2017 lows, but some trade sources say PetroChina and CNOOC are well covered until January, potentially moderating price gains.

“When Asian players close their positions that’s when Indian buyers come in, betting that the market will fall... we’ve seen it before,” the trade source said.

Three Indian prompt buy tenders are currently active. Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) is seeking two cargoes, Gail India wants three across November and December, and Reliance Industries also seeks supply.

However, high prices can be a turn off for Indian buyers with tender cancellations common, traders said.

Taiwan’s state-run power utility CPC may also have demand for a November – January delivery.

More supply is expected to emerge from PNG and Russia’s Sakhalin II plant, several sources said.

At current levels, spot LNG is broaching oil-indexed, long-term contract prices, which are seen as a resistance level for spot markets.

Public holidays in North Korea and China next week could further cool activity, while plunging prices at Britain’s benchmark National Balancing Point gas trading hub may undercut the Asian rally.

On Friday afternoon, British October gas prices fell nearly 5% to 44.2 pence per therm. Gas prices for weekend delivery plunged more than 15%.

However, the equivalent British contract to the currently assessed November Asian spot price rose, up 1.89% at 47.48 pence per therm.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/02102017/asian-spot-lng-prices-jump-10/

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