China holds the key for European winter LNG
Demand in the East Asian powerhouse is the major variable for pace of deliveries into the Russian gas-starved continent
“The big lifesaver for Europe has been the considerable drop in Chinese LNG demand, driven by high spot prices, renewed Covid lockdowns—which have hit economic activity—and a focus on maximising cheaper alternative sources of gas supply, including domestic production and pipeline imports.” So says Laura Page, LNG analyst at cargo tracking firm Kpler. But the key question as Europe faces winter demand with huge uncertainty over how much Russian gas will flow is whether any increase in China’s requirements will crimp availability for its existing and new terminals. “It has been surprising how much LNG has come to Europe so far this year [see Fig.1], considering how tight the market balance was

Also in this section
24 July 2025
The reaction to proposed sanctions on Russian oil buyers has been muted, suggesting trader fatigue with Trump’s frequent bold and erratic threats
24 July 2025
Trump energy policies and changing consumer trends to upend oil supply and demand
24 July 2025
There is a bifurcation in the global oil market as China’s stockpiling contrasts with reduced inventories elsewhere
24 July 2025
Despite significant crude projections over the next five years, Latin America’s largest economy could be forced to start importing unless action is taken