2020-11-03 13:15:00
U.S. LNG DEMAND UP
PLATTS - 02 Nov 2020 - US LNG feedgas demand has topped 10 Bcf/d for the first time as exports surge amid robust Asian end-user prices.
The milestone for gas deliveries to major liquefaction terminals recorded Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, before total feedgas slightly retreated below that threshold Nov. 2, reflects the continuing rebound by the industry from the downturn in activity earlier in the year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Freeport LNG in Texas recently loaded and exported its 100th cargo since starting up in 2019.
As US LNG production continues to recover from a series of unplanned outages and hurricane disruptions, cargoes are likely to increasingly target Asia, thanks to strength in the Platts JKM netback. The JKM for December was assessed down Nov. 2 for the fifth consecutive day, at $6.800/MMBtu, though it is still up substantially from its historic low at $1.825/MMBtu on April 28.
Total US feedgas deliveries stood at 9.85 Bcf/d on Nov. 2, down from 10.02 Bcf/d the day before and 10.37 Bcf/d on Oct. 31, S&P Global Platts Analytics data show.
The strong activity was broad-based across the six major liquefaction terminals. There is still room to grow, once Freeport LNG resumes production from Train 1, shut after a small fire was discovered following a trip of a low-pressure mixed refrigerant compressor on Oct. 21. Repairs were continuing, with the possibility Train 1 could be back online later this week, spokeswoman Heather Browne said Nov. 2.
Freeport LNG shipped its 100th cargo on Oct. 30, 13 months after loading its first cargo in September 2019. The three-train facility began full commercial operations in May.
With US exports incentivized by strong netbacks, the Panama Canal Authority has been working to ease extended wait times first observed during the second half of October for some LNG tankers passing through without a reservation.
The delays for a small portion of vessels transiting the shortest route from the US Gulf Coast to East Asia have been blamed on fog, higher-than-average arrivals and additional safety procedures to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
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Earlier:
2020, November, 2, 17:15:00
U.S. GAS PRODUCTION DOWN
The preliminary level for dry natural gas production in August 2020 was 2,801 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 90.4 Bcf/d. This level was 4.5 Bcf/d (-4.7%) lower than the August 2019 level of 94.8 Bcf/d.
2020, October, 27, 14:30:00
U.S. LNG FOR INDIA
The US was the fifth-largest supplier of LNG to India in 2019, according to the Department of Energy.
2020, October, 23, 15:50:00
ASIA'S LNG PRICES UP
The average LNG price for December delivery into northeast Asia LNG-AS was estimated at about $6.90 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), jumping $1.10 from the previous week.
2020, October, 19, 14:30:00
U.S. LNG EXPORTS UP
With positive spreads between the US Henry Hub price and end-user markets, the ramp-up in terminal utilization should gain steam in the near-term, in a bullish sign for overall demand for US LNG.
2020, October, 16, 12:55:00
ASIA'S LPG PRICES UP
Asia-Pacific [market] is rallying because of recovering demand, better than in October and ATC was also looking for cargoes, lending support to CPs
2020, October, 16, 12:50:00
LNG DECARBONIZATION
LNG producers are already racing to add the decarbonized label.
2020, October, 8, 12:40:00
LNG: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
The emergence of large-scale North American LNG exports has made it easier for low-cost US gas to reach Asia’s LNG importing markets.
