• LNG and Gulf Coast industrial demand prove solid
  • Weather-driven demand light across the Lower 48
  • Spot prices sputter for a third straight day

Despite robust U.S. export levels and signs of stronger Gulf Coast industrial demand, natural gas futures drifted lower on Friday, finishing in the red for only the second time during the trading week. The April Nymex contract settled at $2.557/MMBtu, down 1.3 cents day/day.

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May, however, inched up three-tenths of a cent to $2.619. The April contract rolls off the board following Monday’s trade. If prices were to hold up through then, the new prompt month would open comfortably ahead of $2.600.

NGI’s Spot Gas National Avg., meanwhile, fell 7.0 cents to $2.215.

Demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) held strong Friday, as...