* BAFA prices down 1.5% on month
* Prices post 33% annual fall
* German, Dutch spot, prompt below BAFA import level
The average price of natural gas imported into Germany in August was Eur14.15/MWh (Eur3,931.65/Tj), according to export control agency BAFA, once again above German NetConnect and Dutch TTF August spot contracts.
In July, the BAFA price already outturned slightly above German and Dutch spot prices.
The BAFA price is the monthly average price of natural gas on the border, based on a formula including long-term contracts linked to oil, spot gas and other mechanisms.
The price of imported gas in August ticked down 1.5% month on month and was 33% lower year on year. However, it outturned above German and Dutch spot prices in August.
The average day-ahead price at Germany's GASPOOL and NCG hubs in August was assessed by Platts at Eur12.217/MWh and Eur12.084/MWh, respectively, Eur1.93/MWh and Eur2.07/MWh below the BAFA price.
In July, both GASPOOL and NCG day-ahead were 9 euro cent below BAFA price.
The Dutch TTF day-ahead average for August was Eur11.914/MWh, below the BAFA price by Eur2.24/MWh.
Platts Northwest Europe Gas Contract Indicator for August was Eur13.32/MWh, showing the theoretical value of an old-fashioned, oil-indexed long-term gas import contract.
Germany imported 2,560.162 Tj from January to August, BAFA said. This is equivalent to about 66.4 Bcm. The volume was 7.6% lower year on year.
The value of imported gas over January to July amounted to Eur10.5 billion, compared with Eur16.5 billion in the same period a year earlier, BAFA said.
