May Nymex natural gas (NGK26) on Monday closed up +0.011 (+0.39%).
Nat-gas prices recovered from a 7.25-month nearest-futures low on Monday and settled higher. Short covering emerged in nat-gas futures on Monday amid forecasts of colder US temperatures, potentially boosting nat-gas heating demand. The Commodity Weather Group said Monday that below-average temperatures are expected across the Upper Midwest through April 10.
Nat-gas prices have some medium-term support on the outlook for tighter global LNG supplies. On March 19, Qatar reported “extensive damage” at the world’s largest natural gas export plant at Ras Laffan Industrial City. Qatar said the attacks by Iran damaged 17% of Ras Laffan’s LNG export capacity, a damage that will take three to five years to repair. The Ras Laffan plant accounts for about 20% of global liquefied natural gas supply, and a reduction in its capacity could boost US nat-gas exports. Also, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in Iran has sharply curtailed nat-gas supplies to Europe and Asia.
US (lower-48) dry gas production on Monday was 110.4 bcf/day (+2.8% y/y), according to BNEF. Lower-48 state gas demand on Monday was 72.9 bcf/day (-6.8% y/y), according to BNEF. Estimated LNG net flows to US LNG export terminals on Monday were 20.4 bcf/day (+1.7% w/w), according to BNEF.
Projections for higher US nat-gas production are bearish for prices. On February 17, the EIA raised its forecast for 2026 US dry nat-gas production to 109.97 bcf/day from a January estimate of 108.82 bcf/day. US nat-gas production is currently near a record high, with active US nat-gas rigs posting a 2.5-year high in late February.
As a positive factor for gas prices, the Edison Electric Institute reported last Wednesday that US (lower-48) electricity output in the week ended March 28 rose +5.7% y/y to 76,162 GWh (gigawatt hours). Also, US electricity output in the 52 weeks ending March 28 rose +1.9% y/y to 4,321,501 GWh.
Last Thursday’s weekly EIA report was bearish for nat-gas prices, as nat-gas inventories for the week ended March 27 rose by +36 bcf, right on expectations but well above the 5-year weekly average draw of -4 bcf. As of March 27, nat-gas inventories were up +5.2% y/y, and +3.0% above their 5-year seasonal average, signaling ample nat-gas supplies. As of March 31, gas storage in Europe was 28% full, compared to the 5-year seasonal average of 41% full for this time of year.
