As analysts contemplated easing tightness in the domestic supply/demand balance, evidenced by an above-average build in the latest government inventory report, natural gas futures reversed lower in early trading Friday. Coming off a 39.0-cent rally in the previous session, the November Nymex contract was off 18.9 cents to $5.678/MMBtu at around 8:50 a.m. ET.

NGI Morning Natural Gas Price & Markets Coverage

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Thursday reported an injection of 88 Bcf natural gas into storage for the week ended Sept. 24. The print was in line with surveys and easily topped the 74 Bcf year-earlier build and the 72 Bcf five-year average.

Total working gas in domestic inventories rose to 3,170 Bcf for the period, 6.3% below the five-year average of 3,383 Bcf.

Analysts at Tudor, Pickering, Holt &...