Nat-Gas Prices Rebound as Weekly EIA Inventories Fall More Than Expected

Rich Asplund Barchart Thu Mar 28, 2:27PM CDT
Natural Gas - Natural Gas Flare at Night

May Nymex natural gas (NGK24) on Thursday closed up by +0.070 (-3.91%).

May nat gas prices on Thursday recovered from a contract low and rallied moderately after weekly EIA nat-gas inventories fell more than expected.  The EIA reported nat-gas supplies fell -36 bcf last week, a larger draw than expectations of -28 bcf.

Nat-gas prices Thursday initially moved lower on a mixed weather forecast.  Atmospheric G2 said temperatures for the north-central US would be above average from April 2-6, but the eastern, southern and western US could see below-average temperatures.  

Nat-gas prices have collapsed this year, with nearest-futures (NGJ24) posting a 3-3/4 year low Tuesday as an unusually mild winter curbed heating consumption for nat-gas and pushed inventories well above average.  As of March 15, US nat-gas inventories were +41.0% above their 5-year seasonal average, signaling abundant nat-gas supplies.  

Nat-gas prices are also under pressure after the Freeport LNG nat-gas export terminal in Texas on March 1 shut down one of its three production units due to damage from extreme cold in Texas.  The unit reopened partially earlier this month.  However, Freeport said that once the production unit is fully reopened, the other two units will be taken down for maintenance, and all three units will not return online until May.  The lack of full capacity of the Freeport export terminal limits US nat-gas exports and boosts US nat-gas inventories.  

Lower-48 state dry gas production Thursday was 100.1 bcf/day (unchanged y/y), according to BNEF.  Lower-48 state gas demand Thursday was 83.1 bcf/day (-1.3% y/y), according to BNEF.  LNG net flows to US LNG export terminals Thursday were 13.0 bcf/day (-0.2% w/w), according to BNEF.

A decrease in US electricity output is negative for nat-gas demand from utility providers.  The Edison Electric Institute reported Wednesday that total US electricity output in the week ended March 23 fell -2.8% y/y to 72,225 GWh (gigawatt hours), and cumulative US electricity output in the 52-week period ending March 23 fell -0.39% y/y to 4,094,094 GWh.

Thursday's weekly EIA report was bullish for nat-gas prices since nat-gas inventories for the week ended March 22 fell by -36 bcf, a larger draw than expectations of -28 bcf and above the 5-year average decline of -27 bcf for this time of year.  As of March 22, nat-gas inventories were up +23.9% y/y and were +41.1% above their 5-year seasonal average, signaling ample nat-gas supplies.  In Europe, gas storage was 59% full as of March 25, above the 5-year seasonal average of 42% full for this time of year.

Baker Hughes reported Thursday that the number of active US nat-gas drilling rigs in the week ending March 29 was unchanged at a 2-year low of 112 rigs.  Active rigs have fallen since climbing to a 4-1/2 year high of 166 rigs in Sep 2022 from the pandemic-era record low of 68 rigs posted in July 2020 (data since 1987).
 



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On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.