Russia and coal to set European tone
Gazprom's market share ambitions and the price at which power plant demand soaks up supply are 2019's key questions
European gas prices moved substantially lower in the fourth quarter of 2018 as predictions of a global LNG oversupply ending up in its "sink" market finally showed signs of coming true. With the potential for more of the same in 2019, much focus is on what support levels the European price can find. The benchmark Ice TTF front month futures contract was just below the €22/MWh (c.$7.50/mn Btu) mark at the beginning of August 2018, although this still reflected price inflation through the first four months of the summer, from levels only just above €18/MWh at its start. The final two months of the summer saw a step-change, though, as the contract shot up to a high of above €29.20/MWh, north of
Also in this section
29 January 2026
Caught between LNG risks from across the Atlantic and the wounds from Russian gas dependence, Europe needs more than a simple diversification strategy
28 January 2026
The alliance looks to bolster market management credibility by bringing greater clarity and unity to output cuts and producer capacity later in 2026
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
