*Japan paid an average of $4.5/mn BTU for LNG import cargoes contracted in September, the highest price since January this year and more than twice the nadir of $2.2/mn BTU plumbed in May. For cargoes arriving in September the average price paid was $3.4/mn BTU, in line with cargoes contracted the previous month.
*The $4.5/mn BTU average for September contracts broadly reflects October-arrival cargoes. This meshes with Reuters assessments which averaged $4.20/mn BTU for Asian spot trade in October-arrival cargoes. Spot trade has now moved on to November deliveries, with prices rising further to $5.20/mn BTU as pre-winter buying picks up. (CONTINUED - 263 WORDS)
