China LNG imports from Russia double despite domestic demand plunging

The Vladimir Rusanov, LNG tanker ship, is seen following its arrival at the LNG terminal in Nantong city, eastern China's Jiangsu province, in 2018 (AFP)
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Updated 21 March 2022
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China LNG imports from Russia double despite domestic demand plunging

RIYADH: China’s imports of liquified natural gas from Russia saw a year-on-year surge of 100 percent in February, despite a drop in demand due to soaring prices, Bloomberg reported.

China bought a total of 4011,000 tons of LNG from Russia as it sought to diversify its portfolio and reduce dependency on any one source.

Total Chinese LNG imports dropped by 12 percent compared to February 2021, but Russia’s share of that climbed to 8 percent.

LNG imports dropped 8.7 percent year-on-year in the first two month of 2022 as buyers opted for more affordable local coal.

The hike in prices associated with LNG is primarily attributed to tight supply as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Chinese imports of oil-linked pipeline gas surged by 6.9 percent in February, down from 12 percent in the corresponding period a year earlier.

 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,947 

Updated 19 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,947 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Thursday, losing 208.20 points, or 1.87 percent, to close at 10,947.25. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.80 billion ($1.28 billion), as 14 of the listed stocks advanced, while 253 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased, down 25.35 points, or 1.69 percent, to close at 1,477.71. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 217.90 points, or 0.92 percent, to close at 23,404.75. This came as 24 of the listed stocks advanced, while 43 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was Musharaka REIT Fund, with its share price up 2.12 percent to SR4.34. 

Other top performers included Al Hassan Ghazi Ibrahim Shaker Co., which saw its share price rise by 1.18 percent to SR17.20, and Saudi Industrial Export Co., which saw a 0.8 percent increase to SR2.51. 

On the downside, Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. was among the day’s biggest decliners, with its share price falling 9.3 percent to SR39. 

National Medical Care Co. fell 8.98 percent to SR128.80, while National Co. for Learning and Education declined 6.35 percent to SR116.50. 

On the announcements front, Red Sea International said its subsidiary, the Fundamental Installation for Electric Work Co., has entered into a framework agreement with King Salman International Airport Development Co. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company noted that the agreement establishes the general terms and conditions for the execution of enabling works at the King Salman International Airport project in Riyadh.  

Under the 48-month contract, the scope of work includes the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.  

Utilizing a re-measurement model, specific work orders will be issued on a call-off basis, with the final contract value to be determined upon the completion and measurement of actual quantities executed.  

The financial impact of this collaboration is expected to begin reflecting on the company’s statements starting in the first quarter of 2026, the statement said. 

The company’s share price reached SR23.05, marking a 2.45 percent decrease on the main market.