Indian LNG importers issue force majeure notices as gas demand slumps

Top gas importer Petronet LNG has served a force majeure notice on Qatargas and is seeking delayed delivery of cargoes.

Indian liquefied natural gas (LNG) importers have issued force majeure notices to suppliers as domestic gas demand and port operations are hit by a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, industry sources told Reuters.

Any reduction in purchases by India, Asia's third largest economy and one of the top importers of the super-chilled fuel, are likely to further hit LNG prices, already battered by a drop in demand in China, where the virus emerged.

India imposed a sweeping lockdown of its 1.3 billion people on Wednesday for 21 days, and is only allowing the supply of essential commodities. The move