[copious.abundance]

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$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A') PRICE war between liquefied natural gas and coal could lead to the temporary closure of coal mines, according to leading energy consultants, because of a surge in shipments of the gas from the Middle East into Europe and North America.

Gas prices, already tumbling as a result of the recession, are suffering a triple whammy from recession in Asia, a long-awaited build-up in new supplies of LNG, and unexpected discoveries of new gas reserves in the US, according to Cambridge Energy Research Associates.

The emerging gas glut could even displace coal in the supply of fuel to power stations in Europe, said CERA managing director Michael Stoppard.

In the teeth of a recession, the LNG industry was about to take a big upward step, he said.

"Over the next 18 to 24 months, LNG capacity will increase by 30 per cent," Mr Stoppard said.

"Where is the stuff going to go? The answer will be in the Atlantic basin."

Spot prices for LNG -- natural gas that has been super-chilled -- have collapsed in Asia, falling by $US20 per million British thermal units (BTU) to only $US6 per million BTU.

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