Heavy gas storage volumes choking off N.Asia LNG demand

Rising gas storage levels in North Asia are denting demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) ahead of a warmer-than-expected winter, driving at least one utility in Japan to resell winter cargoes it does not need, regional trade sources told Reuters. Storage levels in Japan and South Korea are estimated to be at their highest since at least 2015, according to data from Refinitiv Eikon. Gas storage tanks are filling up in China as well, according to trade sources. Chinese state oil giant China National Petoleum Corp (CNPC) said earlier this week that it had finished injecting gas into its underground storage, with volumes at record levels ahead of winter. North Asia’s gas inventory typically peaks in October before it starts getting drawn down, but this year there are no signs yet of stocks falling, according to the data. “Due to warmer weather than usual, Japanese buyers’ demands are low and tank inventories are high,” a trader familiar with the Japanese LNG market said on Friday. At least one utility is trying to sell winter cargoes that it does not need due to high inventory, he added. Japan is likely to experience warmer-than-average weather between November and January, the country’s official forecaster said last week, implying low demand for heating. Nuclear power plant restarts at the world’s top LNG importer are also denting demand for the super-chilled fuel. Electricity generation using solar power has been growing in some parts of Japan, which is eating into LNG demand, a second source familiar with the Japanese market said. Chinese buyers are also expected to slow down spot purchases due to higher storage volumes, a source familiar with the Chinese gas market said. “I think we are quite balanced and don’t have too much requirement at this stage,” the source added. TANKERS LNG is still being stored in vessels off Singapore and Malaysia waters for up to three weeks, unable to find homes, in an unusual move. At least half a dozen LNG tankers have been floating LNG off Singapore and Malaysian waters, according to Refinitiv Eikon shiptracking data. Traders are betting that demand will increase when it starts getting colder. “Prices are very low. If they sell and demand starts to appear, the prices will rise again and it will be a big loss,” a Singapore-based trader said, adding that the companies are likely waiting for winter demand to set in.

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