Asia LNG prices may rise

Liquefied natural gas prices in Asia may rise more than 75% over the next five years, increasing costs for companies such as Korea Gas Corp and China National Offshore Oil Corp, on higher US demand.
Asian buyers may pay as much as $8 per million British thermal units by 2010, from the regional average of about $4.50 now, said Fereidun Fesharaki, president of Honolulu-based consultant FACTS Inc.
US gas futures have averaged $6.64 this year, more than covering the cost of chilling the fuel into liquid and shipping it from halfway around the world.