--DES Northeast Asia
DES Northeast Asia prices increased. As a shutdown of the 5.50 mil mt/year No.2 liquefaction train at the 16.50 mil mt/year Gorgon project in Australia was prolonged, buying interest from Japanese end-users and Chinese independent companies increased and market sentiment strengthened. Although cargoes were available from many projects such as the 10.80 mil mt/year Sakhalin 2 project, supply/demand of cargoes on a DES Northeast Asia basis were improving from the looseness observed until the end of July. A Japanese company pointed out that it was difficult to find availability for second-half September delivery lower than $3.70. Prices for first-half and second-half October delivery increased similarly to second-half September delivery.

--FOB Middle East, DES South Asia and the Middle East
FOB Middle East, DES South Asia and Middle East prices moved up. Demand from India and Pakistan increased and market sentiment strengthened. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was said to have awarded its buy tender closed on Tuesday for a cargo for Sep 29 delivery to the 17.50 mil mt/year Dahej terminal. Prices for second-half September delivery to South Asia were seen to be the same level as the awarded price in IOC's tender.

--FOB Atlantic, DES Europe and South America
FOB Atlantic, DES Europe and South America prices gained. In Europe, while supply was reduced, air-conditioning demand increased along with high temperatures and perceptions of tight supply/demand surfaced. As maintenance was likely to be conducted at the No.1 and No.3 liquefaction trains as well of the Gorgon project in Australia, more cargoes were moved to Northeast Asia and availability for delivery to Europe decreased. This was seen as a bullish factor. Russia's Novatek reportedly awarded only one cargo for September delivery in its sell tender closed on Aug 7. Offered in the tender were four cargoes for September to December delivery.