Utilities injected 50 Bcf of natural gas into storage for the week ended April 12, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Thursday. The result, near market expectations and avoiding the previous week’s bearish print, sent futures higher.

Ahead of the 10:30 a.m. ET government report, May Nymex futures were trading 4.9 cents higher day/day at $1.761/MMBtu. After the data was released, the contract was trading up 6.0 cents at $1.772. By around 11 a.m. ET, it was trading 5.8 cents above Wednesday’s regular session close of $1.712.

The reported build of 50 Bcf was less than the five-year average increase of 61 Bcf and the year-ago injection of 61 Bcf.

[Want to visualize Henry Hub, Houston Ship Channel and Chicago Citygate prices? Check out NGI’s daily...