Slowing gas demand in China is set to pressure international gas prices further, adding to the burden of producers, some of whom already have to deal with excess supply.

Bloomberg quoted a researcher from China’s economic planning authority, who said at a BloombergNEF event in Shanghai that over the next five years, China’s demand for gas will slow down, especially in the liquefied natural gas department. The reasons for the slowdown will be economic: forecasters expect slower GDP growth in the world’s second-largest economy. Not last because of the continued trade war with the United States.

The Power of Siberia launched officially on Monday, with China’s and Russia’s presidents hailing the infrastructure as a cornerstone in bilateral relations. The two have a 30-year contract for gas supplies and these are bound to undermine Chinese LNG demand.

Domestic production will also take a chunk out of that particular gas demand segment as Beijing seeks to reduce its overwhelming reliance on imports. Tariffs on U.S. LNG imports will not help producers either….CLICK for complete article