Prices for gas in Europe are mixed, with Norway maintenance and revised wind power output being the main differences.

The Dutch and British wholesale prices of gas were mixed on Tuesday. Lower demand forecasts weighed on the market, while the beginning of a longer period for maintenance at Norwegian gas fields was expected to support the market.

LSEG data shows that the benchmark Dutch front-month contract was up 0.08 euro at 33.43 Euro per megawatt hour or $11.38 per mmBtu by 0829 GMT.

The contract for the day-ahead was increased by 0.45 euros to 33.40 euros/MWh.

The British front-month price fell 0.30 pence to 82.85 cents per therm. Meanwhile, the day-ahead contract was down 0.65 cents at 83.10 cents per therm.

Analysts at Northern Gas and Power stated in a morning press briefing that the decline in the British day-ahead contracts was due to a downward revised gas-for power demand, amid higher expectations of wind energy generation.

They added that the British nuclear energy generation will also improve in coming days.

Auxilione, a consultancy, said that the Norwegian gas industry is about to enter a planned maintenance period, which could have an impact on prices.

Data from infrastructure operator Gassco shows that the number of nominations for Norwegian gas flowing to Europe has increased from 320 million cubic meters per day on Friday, to 298 mcm/day Monday.

Saku Jussila, LSEG analyst, said that maintenance was ramping up at Aasta Hansteen, Troll and the Troll field, while the capacity of the Nyhamna onshore processing plants had been reduced by 40 mcm/day.

Gas Infrastructure Europe's data shows that EU gas storage facilities were 76% full last time, compared to 91% at the same point last year.

The benchmark contract on the European carbon markets was down by 0.42 euros at 71.77 euro per metric ton. Nora Buli, reporting from Oslo; Susanna Twidale, editing.

(source: Reuters)