The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Thursday reported a natural gas withdrawal from storage of 9 Bcf for the week ended March 8, which exceeded expectations and sent futures higher.

Ahead of the 10:30 a.m. ET government report, April Nymex futures were trading 2.6 cents higher day/day at $1.684/MMBtu. After the data was released, the contract jumped to about $1.700. By around 11 a.m. ET, it was trading 3.0 cents higher than Wednesday’s regular session close of $1.658.

The single-digit pull fell short of the five-year average decline of 87 Bcf and the year-ago withdrawal of 65 Bcf. Inventories on March 8 stood at 2,325 Bcf, a surplus of 626 Bcf, or 37% above the five-year average. The previous draw of 40 Bcf grew the surplus to 551 Bcf.

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