Editor’s Note: This content is provided courtesy of Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS). Visit natgasintel.com/icis for more information.

HOUSTON (ICIS) — Asia spot prices held relatively steady this week, with the January ‘23 ICIS East Asia Index (EAX) up less than 3% on 15 December from one week ago.

In recent days the EAX was bolstered by a higher ICIS TTF opening price as well as a colder temperature outlook in northeast Asia.

Much of the market’s focus in the week has been on state major China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC), and a strip buy tender for February to December 2023 delivery, which closed on 14 December.

Elsewhere, the spread to the TTF benchmark for cargoes heading to Europe has narrowed with an uptick in February purchase activity...