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Asia spot costs slip in the middle of healthy stocks, Lunar New Year holiday

Asian spot melted natural gas (LNG) rates slipped to a near threeyear low this week, as stocks in Europe remain at healthy levels and purchasing activity in northeast Asia was subdued due to the Lunar New Year holidays.

Industry sources approximated that the typical LNG cost for April delivery into north-east Asia << LNG-AS > eased $0.70, or 7.4%, today to $8.80/ mmBtu, its least expensive levels considering that end-April 2021.

Asia spot prices have cut in half because mid-October, pushed by high stockpiles and warm demand in Europe and northeast Asia.

There's very little change in the Asian market right now - LNG activity and imports in northeast Asia stayed relatively low this week due to the Lunar New Year vacations, stated Ryhana Rasidi, an expert at information and analytics firm Kpler.

She added that a combined weather outlook is anticipated in the coming days, with a cold wave anticipated in China but milder weather seen for Japan and South Korea.

Cooler weather condition might increase power demand for heating functions, resulting in more usage of the super-chilled fuel.

In Europe, S&P Global Product Insights evaluated its daily North West Europe LNG Marker (NWM) rate benchmark for cargoes provided in March on an ex-ship (DES) basis at $7.372/ mmBtu on Feb. 15, a $0.505/ mmBtu discount to the March gas rate at the Dutch TTF center.

Argus assessed the cost at $7.40/ mmBtu, while Glow Commodities evaluated it at $7.339/ mmBtu.

Prices in both basins have slipped today, mostly following European gas rates lower again as continued scope for moderate late winter weather condition-- particularly the weak capacity for severe weather occasions-- has recommended restricted late season heating up demand, stated Samuel Good, head of LNG rates at product prices agency Argus.

Aggregate EU underground gas stocks are back higher than a year previously, as the current mild weather has actually suppressed withdrawals, with the area set to end this winter season with at least near-record stocks, offering that weather condition remains mild.

On the other hand, spot LNG freight rates have remained almost level this week, after rising for the very first time given that mid-November last week partially due to increased trip time from the diversion of freights unable to transit the Suez Canal.

Atlantic rates this week were approximated at $54,500/ day on Friday, while Pacific rates were at $58,000/ day, stated Spark Commodities analyst Qasim Afghan.

(source: Reuters)