The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a smaller-than-expected 14 Bcf injection into natural gas storage inventories for the week ending July 28, trimming surpluses and lending support to prices.

Hotter trends in the latest weather forecasts lifted the September Nymex futures early. In the minutes leading up to the weekly EIA report, the prompt month was trading about 6.0 cents higher day/day at $2.537/MMBtu. The September contract jumped to $2.580 as the print crossed trading desks. By 11 a.m. ET, gas was trading at $2.560, up 8.3 cents from Wednesday’s close.

“Like Barry White low,” said a participant on energy chat Enelyst of the EIA figure. The 1970s crooner was known for his distinctive bass-baritone vocal style in songs like “Can’t Get Enough of...