Argus Launches ASEA Index, Singapore

Leading energy and commodities price reporting organisation Argus has launched the LNG industry’s first southeast Asian delivered ex-ship (des) price indications, known as the ASEA™ index, in the Argus LNG Daily report.

The launch reflects the need to improve price transparency ahead of the startup of Singapore and Malaysia’s first LNG import terminals early next year.

The ASEA index is designed to offer the LNG industry a reliable price indication for cargoes for delivery to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, trading 6-12 weeks before the date of delivery. The index is split into three forward half-month periods, in line with Argus’ existing Asia-Pacific physical price assessments. In the absence of traded volumes in southeast Asia, Argus will derive the ASEA price based on a netback calculation from other Argus regional physical price assessments.

“Southeast Asia will play a key role in global LNG trading, as Singapore and Malaysia prepare to receive their first LNG imports, and Thailand and Indonesia expand their import requirements,” Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said. “The new Argus southeast Asian price indications are an important step towards price identification in the region.”

Argus’ new ASEA coverage complements the Argus LNG Daily report’s existing suite of Asia-Pacific and European spot price assessments, market commentary and global netback pricing.

The Argus LNG Daily report provides spot price assessments for Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, west Africa, Europe and the Caribbean, information about shipping movements, market-moving news and analysis. The report has been designed to provide global LNG market participants with the critical insights and key LNG statistics and data needed to stay ahead of market developments, as well as to help shape commercial strategies.

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LNG World News Staff, December 04, 2012; Image: Argus