Natural Gas News: Storage Glut Meets Production Drop, May Tighten Supply

Recent Trends in U.S. Natural Gas Markets

Last week, U.S. natural gas futures stabilized near two-week lows, largely due to concerns over an extensive storage surplus and forecasts for decreased demand, primarily attributed to reduced feedgas supply to the Freeport LNG export plant in Texas.

Natural gas settled at $1.770, down $0.015 or -0.84%.

EIA Storage Analysis

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a significant storage build, with 24 billion cubic feet (bcf) added, vastly exceeding the expected 8-bcf based on a Reuters poll and doubling the 11-bcf addition from the same week last year. This spike in storage levels, set against a five-year average increase of 24 bcf for this time period, signals a notable shift in storage trends, underscoring the market’s volatility.

Production and Rig Count

The number of operational U.S. gas rigs has declined to 109, marking the lowest count since January 2022, according to Baker Hughes data. This reduction follows natural gas prices reaching a 3.5-year low in February and March, leading to scaled-back drilling activities. This decreased production activity is a critical factor for market participants, as it suggests potential tightening in future natural gas supply.

Spot Market Fluctuations

Significant fluctuations were observed in the spot market. Prices at the Waha hub in West Texas briefly dipped to negative $1.74 per mmBtu, reflecting intense regional oversupply. Conversely, at the AECO hub in Alberta, prices fell to $1.00 per mmBtu, the lowest since October 2022, continuing a trend of declining prices amid market oversaturation.

Supply and Demand Trends

Natural gas output in the Lower 48 U.S. states averaged 98.8 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in April, down from 100.8 bcfd in March. Additionally, LNG feedgas volumes decreased, with average flows to major U.S. LNG export plants reducing to 12.5 bcfd in April from 13.1 bcfd in March. This reduction is partially due to ongoing maintenance and operational issues at Freeport LNG, which significantly impact export capabilities.

Weekly Forecast

Given the current surplus in storage and diminished demand projections, coupled with reduced LNG export activities, the market outlook for the upcoming week leans bearish. However, the reduced drilling activity and potential spikes in heating demand due to colder forecasts could introduce some upward pressure on prices. Traders should anticipate continued volatility with a potential for slight price increases, particularly if production remains subdued and weather conditions drive up domestic demand. As such, a cautious but slightly bearish stance is recommended for the immediate term.