BP,Shell Line Up for China Import Slots

摘要

China is opening up its LNG import terminals to a broader range of companies as part of ongoing efforts to make the industry more competitive and help lower prices.PipeChina has put 54 firms on the shortlist to import spot cargoes this year,including BP and Royal Dutch Shell,after 82 applied to use spare import slots at its terminals.It plans to sign contracts by Feb.12 with those who agree to its terms.Chinese industry sources expect fewer than 30 shippers to sign as there won't be enough slots to go round.In addition to BP and Shell,other contenders are the three state-owned majors,private and local government-run city gas distributors,power plants,and state-run oil and gas traders.Today,imports are in the hands of the majors-China National Petroleum Corp.(CNPC),Sinopec and China National Offshore Oil Corp.(CNOOC)-and at least 10 big LNG traders,an international LNG trader says.The broadening of the pool is expected to boost spot imports.China was the world's largest buyer of short-term and spot LNG last year,with a 20% market share,according to the International Energy Agency.