Natural gas futures remained modestly higher at the front of the curve through midday trading Tuesday as prices continued to draw support from a relatively cool forecast and flagging production. Meanwhile, West Texas spot prices remained on the wrong side of zero.

Here’s the latest:

  • April Nymex contract up 3.2 cents to $1.735/MMBtu as of 1:59 p.m. ET

The $1.64 area represents near-term technical support for the April contract, according to NGI’s Pat Rau, director of Strategy & Research. What’s more, “with slow stochastics approaching overbought territory, that should offer an additional layer of support as well,” Rau said.

  • Production sliding below 100 Bcf/d, per estimates

Updated numbers from Wood Mackenzie Tuesday showed output falling 2.0 Bcf/d to 99.6 Bcf/d....