DENVER, Aug. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- All is not as it would seem in terms of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and its touted role of metaphoric savior of the U.S. gas markets, according to the latest analysis just published by Bentek Energy, an analytics and forecasting unit of Platts. Platts is a leading global provider of energy and commodities information.

Global gas demand growth has flagged over the last year, rising by no more than 0.7 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), the analysis "LNG Exports: Oasis or Mirage?" states, while at the same time 2.2 Bcf/d of new export capacity is expected to be added to the market by the end of 2015. Among a host of factors explored in the analysis report are:

    --  Supply/Demand: Global baseload demand will increase by little more than
        3.3 Bcf/d in 2016, according to Eclipse Energy, another of the analytics
        and forecasting units of Platts, whereas global supply is expected to
        increase by 4.3 Bcf/d, leaving the global market about 1 Bcf/d longer by
        yearend.

    --  New Capacity: Five LNG export terminals are expected to be built in the
        U.S. over the next five years, with combined liquefaction capacity of
        10.16 Bcf/d.

    --  Price Watch: When global spot prices fall below the marginal cost to
        deliver a U.S. LNG cargo to market in Asia, Europe, a U.S. capacity
        holder may forego its option to liquefy, thus coupling the Henry Hub
        price to global spot indices such as the Platts JKM(TM) (Japan/Korea
        Marker) and National Balancing Point (U.K. hub).
    --  Demand Growth: Japan, South Korea and China are expected to account for
        40% of all gas demand growth in 2016 and 60% of aggregate global demand.

"As a result of oversupply of LNG in the global market, U.S. export capacity holders are likely to operate without regard to their sunk cost tolling fees and deliver gas at a cost of feedstock plus transport plus margin," cautions Ross Wyeno, senior energy analyst at Platts' Bentek Energy.

The analysis "LNG Exports: Oasis or Mirage?" and a yet-to-be published analysis report on outlook for U.S. natural gas storage will be distributed at the 2(nd) annual Benposium East 2015, a natural gas and oil markets outlook symposium to be held in New York City on August 27-28. Hear from a host of Bentek Energy analysts, key industry executives and Thomas Watters, managing director of Standard & Poor's, which like Platts, is a unit of McGraw Hill Financial. Advance registration is required. Media may attend as Platts' guests by registering at this Media RSVP link.

For more information about Platts' Bentek Energy, its data models, reports and/or Bentek's methodology, please contact info@bentekenergy.com. For more information on Platts, visit www.platts.com.

Media Contact:
Global, Americas: Kathleen Tanzy, + 1 917 331 4607, kathleen.tanzy@platts.com

About Platts: Founded in 1909, Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets. Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency. Customers in more than 150 countries benefit from Platts' coverage of the biofuels, carbon emissions, coal, electricity, oil, natural gas, metals, nuclear power, petrochemical, shipping and sugar markets. A division of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), Platts is based in London with more than 1000 employees.

About McGraw Hill Financial: McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI) is a leading financial intelligence company providing the global capital and commodity markets with independent benchmarks, credit ratings, portfolio and enterprise risk solutions, and analytics. The Company's iconic brands include: Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts, CRISIL and J.D. Power. The Company has approximately 17,000 employees in 30 countries. Additional information is available at www.mhfi.com.

SOURCE Platts

SOURCE: Platts