LNG

Global gas demand is on course for a 4% fall, with damage to gas processing facilities curbing fertiliser production in the Middle East and high LNG prices accelerating gas-to-coal switching in Asia, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts.

Most European LNG buyers are expected to import less than anticipated due to higher prices and tighter markets, with Poten & Partners estimating around 17 mtpa of demand destruction this year, particularly in Italy and Belgium.

Rising LNG prices are feeding through to wholesale electricity markets. To mitigate exposure, utilities in Thailand and Vietnam are shifting from purely index‑linked LNG contracts toward structures with price caps and multi‑year tenures, covering up to 80% of their projected LNG-fired power plant needs.