European gas futures declined for a third consecutive day as healthy inventories offset supply fears, ANZ analysts Brian Martin and Daniel Hynes note.

Geopolitical risks continue to hang over the market

“Europe is heading towards the heating season with ample inventories. Storage facilities are currently 88.24% full, well above normal seasonal levels. At the same time, industrial demand remains lacklustre and temperatures in northwest Europe have not been as hot as in the south, curbing cooling demand.”

“However, geopolitical risks continue to hang over the market. Ukraine said it has made inroads into Russian territory. With a key gas transit point nearby, risks of disruption to gas that still supplies a sizeable part of Europe’s needs remains high. North Asian LNG prices rose to a two-month high as summer heat maintains high demand.”