SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

LNG market: rising volumes and prices despite global tensions

LNG futures trading on the Intercontinental Exchange rose sharply in April, boosted by growing geopolitical risks.

Share:

Volumes prix LNG hausse tensions

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

In April, the volume of JKM (Japan/Korea Marker) LNG (liquefied natural gas) futures contracts climbed by 5.65% on the previous month and by 134.43% over the year, reaching 87,209 lots. This represents some 16.77 million metric tons, or 264 cargoes, marking the second monthly record of the year. Open interest in these contracts reached a 26-month peak of 107,972 lots at the end of April, a level not seen since February 2022.

Impact of geopolitical tensions on prices

Asia-Pacific LNG spot prices rose in April, with traders attributing the increase to heightened caution in the wake of geopolitical tensions and crises exacerbated by clashes between Iran and Israel. The Platts JKM target price, which reflects LNG delivered in Northeast Asia, rose to $10.07/MMBtu in April from $9.15/MMBtu in March.

Demand and East-West arbitrage

The sharp rise in prices impacted demand for spot cargoes in Asia, leading to a preference for sales on the bilateral market. The number of offers far exceeded the number of requests, with 137 offers compared to 39 in April. In addition, East-West arbitrage offered few opportunities for inter-basin trade in April, and from May 3 onwards, the arbitrage window between the USA and Asia remained closed, making trade less advantageous.

The high volumes of JKM LNG futures contracts and the increase in prices in April demonstrate the sensitivity of the LNG market to geopolitical fluctuations, while highlighting the challenges and opportunities for market players against a backdrop of persistent international tensions.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Berlin approves strategic minority stake in TenneT Germany
Q ENERGY invests in two wind projects in Cuxac-Cabardès to double capacity
Morrison wins major Shell contract for oil facility in Louisiana
Oklo secures key approval for upcoming nuclear fuel facility
China channels public investment into hydrogen to consolidate industrial dominance
Mozambique LNG, criminal complaint and economic recovery under judicial pressure
A German NGO has filed in France a complaint against TotalEnergies for alleged war crimes complicity around Mozambique LNG, just as the country seeks to restart this key gas project without any judicial decision yet on the substance.
Hut 8 sells 310 MW gas-fired portfolio to TransAlta after asset optimisation
Hut 8 transfers four natural gas power plants to TransAlta following a turnaround plan and five-year capacity contracts secured in Ontario.
Tokyo Gas sells TVL LLC to Grayrock Energy for $255mn and reallocates its US gas portfolio
By selling its US subsidiary TVL LLC, active in the Haynesville and Cotton Valley formations in Louisiana, to Grayrock Energy for $255mn, Tokyo Gas pursues a targeted rotation of its upstream assets while strengthening, through TG Natural Resources, its exposure to major US gas hubs supporting its LNG value chain.
TotalEnergies signs €5.1bn deal with EPH for 14 GW of flexible capacity
TotalEnergies acquires 50% of a flexible power generation portfolio from EPH, reinforcing its gas-to-power strategy in Europe through a €10.6bn joint venture.
ConocoPhillips reveals major new gas discovery offshore Australia
The Essington-1 well identified significant hydrocarbon columns in the Otway Basin, strengthening investment prospects for the partners in the drilling programme.
India signs major US LPG deal under diplomatic pressure
New Delhi secures 2.2 million tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas annually from the United States, a state-funded commitment amid American sanctions and shifting supply strategies.
INNIO deploys 450 MW flexible power plant to support UK grid
INNIO and Clarke Energy are building a 450 MW gas engine power plant in Thurrock to stabilise the electricity grid in southeast England and supply nearly one million households.
Aramco deploys autonomous AI agents to optimise Fadhili gas plant
Aramco and Yokogawa have completed the deployment of autonomous artificial intelligence agents in the gas processing unit of Fadhili, reducing energy and chemical consumption while limiting human intervention.
S‑Fuelcell intensifies GFOS rollout to support AI data centres
S‑Fuelcell is accelerating the launch of its GFOS platform to provide autonomous power to AI data centres facing grid saturation and a continuous rise in energy demand.
Aramco reportedly targeting 10 mtpa of US LNG in global gas strategy
Aramco is reportedly in talks with Commonwealth LNG and Louisiana LNG, according to Reuters, to secure up to 10 mtpa in the “2029 wave” as North America becomes central to global liquefaction growth.
Ukraine secures up to €2bn in Greek gas under new winter partnership
Kyiv signs a gas import deal with Greece and mobilises nearly €2bn to offset production losses caused by Russian strikes, reinforcing a strategic energy partnership ahead of winter.
Blackstone injects $1.2bn into West Virginia’s first natural gas power plant
Blackstone commits $1.2bn to develop Wolf Summit, a 600 MW combined-cycle natural gas plant, marking a first for West Virginia and addressing rising electricity demand across the Mid-Atlantic corridor.
ADNOC Gas posts record $1.34 billion profit in Q3
UAE-based ADNOC Gas reports its highest-ever quarterly net income, driven by domestic sales growth and a new quarterly dividend policy valued at $896 million.
Caprock Midstream expands Texas gas network and appoints Steve Jones as CEO
Caprock Midstream II invests in more than 90 miles of gas pipelines in Texas and strengthens its leadership with the arrival of Steve Jones, supporting its expansion in the dry gas sector.
Harvest Midstream takes over Kenai LNG terminal to strengthen Alaska’s energy security
Harvest Midstream has completed the acquisition of the Kenai liquefied natural gas terminal, a strategic move to repurpose existing infrastructure and support energy reliability in Southcentral Alaska.
Dana Gas explores return to Syria with SPC amid Western sanctions relief
Dana Gas signed a memorandum of understanding with the Syrian Petroleum Company to assess the revival of gas fields, leveraging a legal window opened by temporary sanction easings from European, British and US authorities.
Egypt activates a public investment lever with the new Badr-15 gas well
With the commissioning of the Badr-15 well, Egypt reaffirms its commitment to energy security through public investment in gas exploration, amid declining output from its mature fields.
Venture Global signs 20-year LNG supply agreement with Mitsui
US-based Venture Global has signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) export agreement with Japan’s Mitsui, covering 1 MTPA over twenty years starting in 2029.
Natural Gas Services raises 2025 guidance after 14.6% increase in adjusted EBITDA
Natural Gas Services Group reported a strong third quarter, supported by fleet expansion and rising demand, leading to an upward revision of its full-year earnings outlook.
Putin and Tokayev strengthen regional energy partnership with Uzbekistan
The visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Moscow confirms Russia's intention to consolidate its regional energy alliances, particularly in gas, amid a tense geopolitical and economic environment.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.