December Nymex natural gas (NGZ25) on Thursday closed up by +0.113 (+2.49%).
Dec nat-gas prices extended their month-long rally on Thursday to a new 8-month nearest-futures high. Forecasts for colder US temperatures at the end of this month will increase heating demand for nat-gas and are pushing prices higher. Forecaster Atmospheric G2 said Thursday that forecasts shifted cooler in the western half of the US in the November 18-22 period and turned colder for November 23-27.
Higher US nat-gas production is a bearish factor for prices. On Wednesday, the EIA raised its forecast for 2025 US nat-gas production by +1.0% to 107.67 bcf/day from September's estimate of 106.60 bcf/day. US nat-gas production is currently near a record high, with active US nat-gas rigs recently posting a 2-year high.
US (lower-48) dry gas production on Thursday was 109.7 bcf/day (+7.3% y/y), according to BNEF. Lower-48 state gas demand on Thursday was 82.7 bcf/day (-1.2% y/y), according to BNEF. Estimated LNG net flows to US LNG export terminals on Thursday were 17.8 bcf/day (+8.9% w/w), according to BNEF.
As a supportive factor for gas prices, the Edison Electric Institute reported Thursday that US (lower-48) electricity output in the week ended November 8 rose +0.12% y/y to 73,383 GWh (gigawatt hours), and US electricity output in the 52-week period ending November 8 rose +2.84% y/y to 4,282,302 GWh.
The consensus is that Friday's EIA nat-gas inventories will increase by +34 bcf for the week ended November 7, close to the five-year average of +35 bcf. The report will be released a day later due to Tuesday's Veterans' Day holiday.
Last Thursday's weekly EIA report was neutral for nat-gas prices since nat-gas inventories for the week ended October 31 rose +33 bcf, right on the market consensus, but below the 5-year weekly average of +42 bcf. As of October 31, nat-gas inventories were up +0.4% y/y and were +4.3% above their 5-year seasonal average, signaling adequate nat-gas supplies. As of November 10, gas storage in Europe was 82% full, compared to the 5-year seasonal average of 91% full for this time of year.
Baker Hughes reported last Friday that the number of active US nat-gas drilling rigs in the week ending November 7 rose by +3 to a 2.25-year high of 128 rigs. In the past year, the number of gas rigs has risen from the 4.5-year low of 94 rigs reported in September 2024.
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.
More news from Barchart
