U.S. LNG Seen Destined for Europe
According to Wood Mackenzie Ltd, Europe is set to be the key destination for liquefied natural gas supplies from the U.S. after prices fell in Asia, the world’s biggest consumer of the fuel says a report in Bloomberg. The U.S. is forecast to ship about 55 percent of its total LNG production, or 32 million metric tons a year, to Europe by 2020, according to Alex Munton, the Houston-based principal analyst for Americas LNG at Wood Mackenzie. That’s because Europe is so close, has ample import capacity and liquid markets, and now has prices nearer to those in Asia. Wood Mackenzie’s Chong Zhi Xin says: “In 2015, weak market environment forced companies to adjust strategies and tactics.
LNG Shipping Rates Nosedive
According to Andrew Buckland, a London-based analyst at Wood Mackenzie Ltd rates to transport liquefied natural gas have declined to about $50,000 per day and will probably go lower before recovering. In 2012 it was more than $140,000 a day. That’s good news for buyers and sellers of the fuel. Lower rates can benefit traders that sign short-term contracts and give LNG players flexibility in where they deliver the gas, said Hal Miller, president of consulting company Galway Group in Houston. At the same time, ship owners will be hurt by falling rates. There has been reports that over a dozen liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are parked…