North American natural gas futures got a small boost this week on news of weaker production from U.S. operators, but by mid-week the momentum had fizzled.

The May New York Mercantile Exchange gas futures contract posted a second day of losses and lost 6.7 cents on Thursday to settle at $1.774/MMBtu.

Mexican imports of U.S. pipeline gas dipped as usual around the Easter holiday period. Mexico imported 6.06 Bcf/d for the 10 days through Thursday, according to NGI data.

March saw lower imports of U.S. gas into Mexico than February at 6.45 Bcf/d, down 110 MMcf/d month/month. However in a yearly comparison, the figure was 720 MMcf/d higher than March of last year.

The first four days of April have averaged 6.24 Bcf/d. “As long as there is mild weather in Mexico, we will...