July Nymex natural gas (NGN23) on Friday closed down -0.098 (-4.17%).
July nat-gas prices Friday closed sharply lower as the U.S. weather outlook shifts cooler, reducing nat-gas demand from electricity providers to power air-conditioning. The Commodity Weather Group said that while Texas will see above-normal temperatures over the next two weeks, the rest of the U.S. will see below-normal temperatures.
Nat-gas prices fell sharply starting in December and posted a 2-3/4 year nearest-futures low (NGK23) Apr 14 as abnormally mild weather across the northern hemisphere this past winter eroded heating demand for nat-gas. January was the sixth-warmest across the contiguous 48 U.S. states in data from 1895. This winter's warm temperatures have caused rising nat-gas inventories in Europe and the United States. Gas storage across Europe was 70% full as of June 4, well above the 5-year seasonal average of 53% full for this time of year. Nat-gas inventories in the U.S. were +16.1% above their 5-year seasonal average as of June 2.
Lower-48 state dry gas production on Friday was 99.8 bcf (+2.3% y/y), moderately below the record high of 101.7 bcf posted on Apr 23, according to BNEF. Lower-48 state gas demand Friday was 6583cf/day, down -23% y/y, according to BNEF. On Friday, LNG net flows to U.S. LNG export terminals were 11.7 bcf, down -5.1% w/w. On Apr 16, LNG net flows to U.S. LNG export terminals rose to a record 14.9 bcf/day as nat-gas exports continue to increase from the Freeport LNG terminal as the terminal was partially reopened after being closed since last June because of an explosion.
A decline in U.S. electricity output is bearish for nat-gas demand from utility providers. The Edison Electric Institute reported Wednesday that total U.S. electricity output in the week ended June 3 fell -5.2% y/y to 76,617 GWh (gigawatt hours). Also, cumulative U.S. electricity output in the 52-week period ending June 3 fell -0.3% y/y to 4,086,219 GWh.
Thursday's weekly EIA report was neutral for nat-gas prices since it showed U.S. nat gas inventories rose +104 bcf, below expectations of +114 bcf but above the five-year average for this time of year at 100 bcf. Nat-gas inventories as of June 2 are +16.1% above their 5-year seasonal average.
Baker Hughes reported Friday that the number of active U.S. nat-gas drilling rigs in the week ended June 9 fell by -2 to a 15-month low of 135 rigs, moderately below the 3-1/4 year high of 166 rigs posted in the week ended Sep 9. Active rigs have more than doubled from the record low of 68 rigs posted in July 2020 (data since 1987).
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.
