India LNG buyers spoilt for choice
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Topics: INDIA LNG
The South Asian nation has floated a series of import tenders as well as absorbed some of the diverted cargoes at attractive prices.
However, analysts warned that although the Indian market has witnessed a sharp increase in interest for cargoes, infrastructure bottlenecks would limit the incremental volumes that India can absorb above and beyond its immediate needs, despite desperate sellers looking to close a deal.
"India certainly represents an important market which could absorb some additional volumes," said Jeff Moore, manager of Asian LNG Analytics at S and P Global Platts.
"The new Mundra terminal was recently commissioned but has so far seen very low utilization rates. With new infrastructure available it's possible that India could represent an important outlet for excess LNG," he added.
Moore reckoned that India's imports were averaging roughly 15 Mcm/d higher so far this year compared with the same period in 2019.
"This really demonstrates how important a growth market India is in the broader context. And as long as infrastructure continues to get built out and allow for additional volumes, it's possible more LNG could head in that direction," he added. ■