The 2023 contractual expiries represent roughly 8% of Japan's annual LNG imports of around 74 million mt, a level that will likely be difficult to replace with incremental supply from other long-term term contracts and short-to-mid-term contracts amid tight LNG markets.

Egypt has two LNG export facilities -- the 7.2 million mt/year Shell-operated Idku facility and the smaller Eni-operated 5 million mt/year Damietta plant.

This agreement is the second LNG SPA between QatarEnergy and Sinopec, following the 10-year SPA signed in March 2021 for the supply of 2 Mt/year (2.8 bcm/year) to China.

Gas prices soared this year tracking the Russia-Ukraine war. But even if there was some peace settlement or an agreement with Ukraine, non-Russian gas will likely continue to attract a premium

Further in 2023, consumption is forecasted to increase by up to 1.1% driven by China, South and South East Asia and the Middle East.

Coking coal imports from Russia jumped to 2.5 million tons in September, from about 900,000 tons in the same month last year and 1.9 million tons in August, according to Chinese customs data.

Qatar is carrying out another expansion plan, North Field East, which will cost almost $30 billion and is set to send out its first shipments in 2026. Some supply agreements have already been finalized for that project, Kaabi said.

Japan wants to avoid an energy crunch by offering financial support before winter, when heating demand is expected to increase. Spot LNG prices remain at high levels amid a risk of supply disruption from Russia given its war with Ukraine.

Deutsche ReGas has started building a 4.5 bcm/year LNG import terminal, named Deutsche Ostee, in Lubmin in the northeast of Germany.

Indian Oil Corp. issued an LNG tender seeking an Oct. 7-8 DES Dahej cargo, while GAIL issued a tender seeking four Oct. 1-Nov. 14 DES cargoes. The tenders closed Sept. 15.