The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a larger-than-normal 81 Bcf withdrawal from natural gas storage inventories for the week ending Nov. 25.

Natural gas futures prices were more than a dime higher in the minutes leading up to the EIA report, with the January Nymex contract around $7.060/MMBtu. However, the prompt month dipped slightly as the 81 Bcf print crossed trading desks and then continued to lose ground. By 11 a.m. ET, January futures were at $6.872, off 5.8 cents from Wednesday’s close.

Market observers on energy chat Enelyst said the latest pull was difficult to gauge given the long Thanksgiving weekend. Managing director Het Shah said he viewed the withdrawal as 3.1 Bcf/d loose year/year when adjusted for weather. 

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