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Winter preparations slow China’s LNG import growth

China’s LNG demand growth has slowed since August as extensive preparations to avoid gas shortages this winter have curbed the need for significant additional supplies China’s LNG demand growth has slowed since August as extensive preparations to avoid gas shortages this winter have curbed the need for significant additional supplies.
By Colin Shek 28 November 2018 0 33475
CNOOC’s Putian LNG terminal in Fujian province. (CNOOC)

China’s LNG imports continued to grow strongly in October, with shipments for the first 10 months of 2018 surpassing the total for last year as a whole. But closer analysis of the figures reveals the pace of import growth has slowed considerably year on year, reflecting China’s extensive preparations to ready itself for the winter demand spike.

China imported 4.59 mt of LNG in October, according to data released on Monday by the General Administration of Customs (GAC). Last month’s imports were the third-highest this year...