*Asian spot LNG prices have soared to $17/mn BTU as per the latest Reuters assessments. Values for the recently-completed September trading window averaged $15.50/mn BTU. Excepting an acute spike at the start of this year, the latest values are the highest since early 2014.

*“Most of the increase in Asian spot LNG prices” can be explained by the “extremely tight” market in Europe, consultants FGE say in a 14 August note. European gas inventories started the year at low levels whilst Russian state giant Gazprom has since kept supplies tight, seemingly to demonstrate the need for the near-complete Nordstream 2 sub-Baltic pipeline to Germany. (CONTINUED - 293 WORDS)