Six years ago, China suffered a severe natural gas shortage and has since been very careful to ensure it has as much gas as it needs before winter. One of the few things keeping a lid on natural gas prices this year has been a significant reduction in Chinese LNG imports. If China has a colder than expected winter or if there is a change in its Covid strategy, then global LNG markets are sure to get even tighter. China, which last year became the world’s top importer of liquefied natural gas, has been importing a lot less of it this year. Imports were down by as much as 20 percent amid skyrocketing prices in the first half of the year and buyers are still holding back on more shipments. […]