Asia’s seaborne coal imports up 75 Mt on Qatari LNG squeeze
Suspension of nearly 10.2 mtpa of Qatari LNG supply to Asia is forcing utility buyers to switch to coal, with an additional 150 million tonnes (Mt) of consumption projected through 2030, roughly half of which in 2026 alone. A supply gap, not green policies, is driving demand, with RystadEnergy anticipating an LNG shortfall of 35 million tons this year.
Iraq hit by Iranian gas squeeze as Excelerate LNG deal advances
Iraq’s power sector remains vulnerable to fluctuations in Iranian gas supplies, prompting Baghdad to press ahead with plans to import LNG through the country’s first floating terminal, developed by Excelerate Energy.
LNG exporters face margin squeeze due to drop in oil prices
Oil-indexed LNG exporters brace for a squeeze in profit margins as ICE Brent crude oil prices fell to $65 per barrel on October 5, down from $70/bbl at last week’s high, after OPEC announced a production increase on Sunday. Rystad Energy reckons ICE Brent will unlikely to hold above $60-65/bbl in 2026 unless OPEC+ adjusts its sanctions on Russia and Iran severely limits exports.
