--DES Northeast Asia

DES Northeast Asia prices fell 50cts from last Friday to $16.85-17.15 for first-half October delivery. Most Northeast Asian utility companies felt that prices were relatively high and refrained from spot purchase. Moreover, natural gas prices in Europe including the Netherlands' TTF dropped sharply. As a result, market sentiment rapidly turned bearish. End-users such as Japanese power companies and Chinese state-owned companies began moving to resell long-term customers and fundamentals appeared to be weak. A Japanese power company reportedly sold a cargo for prompt delivery in late September at $17.00-17.10. Further, a trader was said to have sold a cargo from the 16.50 mil mt/year Gorgon project in Australia on Wednesday for September to October delivery. The price was apparently at a discount of 30-40cts to DES Northeast Asia spot quotations.

--FOB Middle East, DES South Asia and the Middle East

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) issued a buy tender for a total of four cargoes for delivery during Oct 23-27, Nov 11-30, Dec 1-31 and Jan 1-31 to the 11.00 mil mt/year Al Zour terminal. Depending on offers, KPC might buy an additional cargo for Oct 23-27 delivery.

--FOB Atlantic, DES Europe and South America

Royal Dutch Shell sold via a tender closed on Thursday a total of six cargoes loading at the 22.50 mil mt/year Sabine Pass project on Oct 12-16, Nov 18-22, Dec 21-25, Jan 12-16, Feb12-16, and Mar 12-16. The awarded prices were unknown.