European Gas Closes at Lowest Since Start of War in Ukraine

(Bloomberg) -- European natural gas settled at the lowest level since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, amid warmer weather and signs from the Kremlin that payment for the fuel in rubles isn’t expected until next month.

Benchmark Dutch gas futures declined 1.9% to 93.77 euros per megawatt-hour, the lowest closing price since Feb. 23, the day prior to the Russian invasion. The U.K. equivalent contract dropped 2.2%

The market has been focused on shipments from Russia, its largest supplier, particularly following President Vladimir Putin’s demand last month that “unfriendly” buyers pay for gas in rubles. The European Union’s lawyers have drafted a preliminary finding that the payment mechanism would violate the bloc’s sanctions. 

There is still “some time” for Europe to pay for Russian gas shipments in rubles with payments for April supplies mainly “due sometime in May,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. He declined to comment on whether any customers have agreed to pay in rubles or set up accounts as mandated.

Above-average temperatures in southeast Europe are set to expand into the mid-continent next week, Maxar said in a report. That could relieve some pressure on demand for natural gas. Iberia will be colder than normal, the forecaster added. 

Competition With Asia

Even before the war in Ukraine, Europe was dealing with an energy supply crunch and competing with Asia for cargoes of liquefied natural gas. Pandemic-related lockdowns are now weighing on demand in Asia. 

Slightly weaker Asian LNG prices indicate the region’s buyers currently don’t need to outbid their European counterparts, analysts at consultant Engie EnergyScan said in a note.

“Gas prices have come down quite a bit as short-term fundamentals soften,” said Edmund Siau, lead analyst for gas and LNG at consultants FGE. Demand destruction and fuel switching have eased pressures on European gas prices but competition from Asia looms, he said. “Traders are wondering what Asia is going to do with China’s lockdowns and what the plan is to restock before winter,” he said. 

Still, Russian gas flows via Ukraine were expected to be below capacity on Tuesday, after orders for supplies dropped before Easter. Gazprom PJSC has said its shipments are in line with client requests. 

While gas arriving in Ukraine from Russia’s Sokhranovka network point has been relatively steady, flows from the Sudzha station have slumped in recent days. Shipments via the Nord Stream link remain stable, grid data show. 

Also See: Gazprom Opts Not to Book Extra Pipeline Capacity to EU for May

No capacity was booked to deliver gas into Mallnow in Germany on Wednesday, at regular day-ahead auctions. 

U.K. day-ahead gas prices traded 47% higher at 161.5 pence a therm. 

“A continuation of below-normal wind generation into tomorrow is offering bullish pressure to prompt U.K. energy contracts” while high LNG shipments to the U.K. are cooling futures prices, consultant Inspired Energy Plc said in a note. 

Front-month German power declined as much as 6.9% to its lowest level since April 14, before paring some losses.

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