First LNG Spot Price Reported in Europe, but Lack of Liquidity Hinders Assessment

The European Union (EU) published its first daily LNG spot price assessment on Thursday for transactions in Northwest Europe, but it again failed to collect adequate data for deals in South Europe.

The EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) reported a delivered ex-ship (DES) spot price in Northwest Europe for the first half of February of 56.77 euros/MWh, or about $18/MMBtu. The February Title Transfer Facility (TTF) contract, which is now used as a proxy for liquefied natural gas prices, closed Tuesday at $19.25. 

ACER launched the assessment on Friday (Jan. 13) as part of policies aimed at coordinating gas purchases on the continent and developing a transparent benchmark to represent seaborne LNG transactions. 

The agency was directed to start publishing...