Fundamental weather demand didn’t change much, so it must havebeen the impetus from a rising Henry Hub futures contract thatallowed cash prices to post widespread small gains Tuesday, sourcessaid. Few of the increases were much more than 1-3 cents except forSumas, where prices rose as a force majeure remained in effect atWestcoast’s McMahon Processing Plant (see Transportation Notes).

The only significant drop of more than a nickel occurred inTransco’s Zone 6 (NYC) pool. Weather in the Northeast may be prettycold now but is due to be warming up by the weekend, one tradernoted.

A marketer reported supply cuts on Sonat’s South Mainline, andsaid if people keep sending extra incremental gas through the NorthMainline, gas will start getting cut there soon.

For the second straight year the winter season has been on themild side, and if one has faith in prognostications by largerodents, this winter will be yielding to spring soon. As if gasprices needed more bearish news, three rival groundhogs (Phil inPunxsutawney, PA; Jimmy in Sun Prairie, WI; and Gen. Beauregard Leein Lilburn, GA) failed to see their shadows in Groundhog Dayceremonies Tuesday. According to folklore, that means winter is inits waning days. On a sadder note, children in Wiarton, ONreportedly were in tears upon hearing that Wiarton Willie was dead.The Canadian groundhog died of natural causes Sunday night but hispassing was not announced until Tuesday.

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