Bill Burson

Physical natural gas for delivery Friday bounded higher by an average of 11 cents in Thursday’s trading.

Physical gas for Thursday delivery jumped on average 8 cents nationally in Wednesday’s trading, with only a handful of individual points in the loss column surrounded by widespread gains. A large cold front was dropping temperatures well below normal as it moved out of the Plains and Midwest into the Great Lakes and into Texas.

Physical natural gas traded Tuesday for Wednesday delivery fell 4 cents on average as higher prices in the Midwest, Northern Plains and Rockies, along with steady California prices were unable to offset $1-plus declines along the Eastern Seaboard. Futures prices staged a modest rebound as noon weather updates called for a healthy dose of cold temperatures by mid-month. At the close December was higher by 2.1 cents to $3.466 and January had gained 2.7 cents to $3.551. December crude oil dropped $1.25 to $93.37/bbl.

The price being paid Monday for Tuesday physical natural gas delivery on average lost 2 cents as major hubs were mixed, but firm pricing on the West Coast and Eastern Seaboard was not able to offset weakness at Gulf and interior locations. At the close of futures trading, December had fallen 6.8 cents to $3.445 and January skidded 6.7 cents tp $3.524. December crude oil added a penny to $94.62/bbl.

December natural gas is expected to open 3 cents lower Friday morning at $3.55 as traders are unable to identify any fundamental weather patterns able to offset ever-increasing production. Overnight oil markets slipped.

Physical gas for weekend and Monday delivery skidded a hefty 11 cents on average in Friday trading. Demand-driven gains at New England points and firm eastern quotes were unable to counter pervasive selling, which saw many locations endure double-digit losses. At the close of futures trading December had retreated 6.8 cents to $3.513 and January was down 7.2 cents to $3.591. December crude oil tumbled $1.77 to $94.61/bbl.

“The times they are a changin’.” NGI’s National Spot Gas Average for November Bidweek prices showed a tempered gain of 9 cents to $3.53, but regional changes were moving around with the randomness of bumper cars at an amusement park.

For the three trading days ended Oct. 30 physical gas prices fell an average of 12 cents to $3.62, according to NGI’s National Spot Gas Average.

Physical gas prices for Friday delivery tumbled an average 9 cents Thursday as traders were eager to get deals done ahead of weekly government inventory statistics.