Asian spot prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG) dipped to a 17-month low on subdued trading activity in Asia-Pacific due to a week-long Chinese New Year holiday and a number of new supply offers on the market. Spot prices for March delivery to northeast Asia are estimated at around $6.80 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), down $0.20/mmBtu from the previous week. This is the lowest level since September 2017, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.
Spreads between global LNG delivery prices remain tight, with expectations of a further rise in arrivals into Europe. "Some people keep optimising (LNG volumes in the Far East), but fresh demand remains low," an LNG trader said.
Significant demand came from India however. Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) is looking to buy 12 cargoes for delivery between April 2019 and March 2020 open until February 19. Pakistan LNG opened this week a tender for six cargoes for delivery in May and June open until March 11.
Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) closed on Tuesday a tender for delivery on February 26-27. The tender could be awarded as low as $6.01-$6.50/mmBtu, one trade source said. On the supply side, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) closed on Thursday a tender for a cargo for loading at its Das Island plant on March 10-12.
Angola LNG is offering until February 12 a cargo from the Soyo plant for delivery between late February and mid-March depending on the destination. In Europe, PetroChina International (London) offered at least two cargoes from its Yamal equity offtake for delivery in northwest Europe on March 3-5 and March 28-29, with the sale expected to close next week. Yamal volumes into Europe have been above those from the United States this month so far, a change in a trend from last month. Britain expects to receive three LNG cargoes from Yamal until mid-February, two of which are sold by Russian producer Novatek to Swiss-based trader Vitol, sources said.
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