Natural gas futures eked out a gain Wednesday amid worries that a fierce and widespread winter freeze could force production interruptions, ending a three-day run of steep losses. The January Nymex gas futures contract settled at $5.332/MMBtu, up six-tenths of a cent day/day. February rose 2.2 cents to $5.238.

At A Glance:

  • Prompt month gains six-tenths of a cent
  • Harsh weather could stall production
  • Analysts see storage pull in 80s-90s Bcf

NGI’s Spot Gas National Avg. surged $6.960 to $16.065, as bitter cold enveloped the West and the nation’s midsection.

Natural gas production on Wednesday held around 99 Bcf/d. But with subzero temperatures in the Midwest expected to also canvas the East Thursday and Friday, and with freezing temperatures projected for as far South as...