Natural gas futures, under pressure throughout the week and most of the past month, finished March on a high note alongside mounting export momentum that offset fading domestic weather demand.

market

At A Glance:

  • Freeport export volumes pop
  • Weather-driven demand fades
  • Texas cash market faces test

The May Nymex gas futures contract, after dropping 8.0 cents in its debut Thursday, rebounded to gain 11.2 cents day/day and settled Friday at $2.216/MMBtu. June rose 10.7 cents to $2.465.

NGI’s Spot Gas National Avg. lost 24.0 cents to $2.340, led lower by declines in the volatile West and in Texas. With substantial maintenance events planned in the Permian Basin during April, supplies could get backed up in West Texas, further hindering prices there.

NatGasWeather on Friday noted...