The operator Nord Stream 2 AG continues the necessary technical preparations for the pipeline ahead of its launch.

U.S. Rig Count is up 3 from last week to 579, Canada Rig Count is down 10 from last week to 167.

The Bundesnetzagentur on Nov. 16 suspended the procedure to certify Nord Stream 2 AG as an independent transmission operator while the company transferred assets to the German subsidiary to take over the application.

Under the agreement, BP will provide SPIC Guangdong Co. with pipeline gas sourced from the LNG receiving terminal of Guangdong Dapeng Liquefied Natural Gas Co.

It is unusual for European LNG prices to surpass spot LNG prices in Asia, which relies on LNG imports much more than Europe, and especially in peak winter when demand from Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan is at its highest, supporting the typical Asian premium.

The Dec. 12 LNG stocks were well above 1.42 million mt held at the end of December last year, as well as the four-year average of 1.71 million mt at the end of that month, according to METI data.

Derivatives linked to TTF, Europe’s wholesale gas price, soared as high as €131 per megawatt hour

Front-month gas futures fell 4.7 cents, or 1.2%, to settle at $3.747 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), their lowest close since Dec. 7.

Under Russian law, Gazprom is the only company currently permitted to export pipeline gas, but the government has been examining Rosneft's proposal, with a decision expected by March next year.

U.S. Rig Count is up 7 from last week to 576, Canada Rig Count is down 3 from last week to 177.