Bill Burson

Physical gas for delivery Wednesday took a cue from the screen and on average was 4 cents lower in Tuesday’s trading.

Physical natural gas for Tuesday delivery bounded higher nationally by an average of 21 cents Monday led by dollar-plus gains at some New England points. Even without those points the market soared by an average of 17 cents. Gains were deep and widespread.

Physical gas for weekend and Monday delivery on average was unchanged in Friday’s trading, and although most points showed gains of a nickel or more, forecasts of mild temperatures in New England and at eastern points prompted double-digit declines and offset what otherwise was broad market strength.

For the week ending Nov. 15 the NGI National Spot Gas Average posted a healthy 13 cent gain to average $3.58 with only one Rockies point and a handful of Northeast locations failing to make it to the positive side of the trading ledger. Of all the market points the Northeast was home to the week’s biggest winner and also the biggest loser.

Physical gas for Friday delivery fell hard and fell often as prices averaged a decline of 19 cents nationally in Thursday’s trading. No actively traded point registered gains and most points tumbled anywhere from a dime to 20 cents.

Natural gas for delivery Thursday fell 22 cents on average, but if the multi-dollar losses at New England points are factored out, the decline was a more modest 8 cents. Weather forecasts showing a warming trend pulled the plug on the bulls’ aspirations and futures softened as well.

Physical natural gas for Wednesday delivery continued to advance in trading Tuesday, gaining approximately 12 cents on average nationally, with New England points the biggest winners, posting gains upwards of a dollar on some lightly traded pipes.

Next-day overall physical gas prices on average jumped approximately 29 cents in Monday’s trading. Back out the multi-dollar gains seen at some New England points hit by forecasts of cold weather and surging power demand and the figure settles in at a 15 cent advance.

Weekend and Monday deliveries of physical gas skidded 8 cents on average nationally in Friday trading with East and Northeast points the hardest hit and only a handful of points in positive territory.