Natural gas forward prices were mostly higher for the July 6-12 period as a drop in production and sweltering summer heat drove larger-than-normal gains in Appalachia and the Southeast, according to NGI’s Forward Look.

August forward prices climbed an average of 4.0 cents through the period, Forward Look data showed. The balance of summer (August-October) rose 2.0 cents on average, as did the winter 2023-2024 strip. Prices for next summer (April-October) fell 3.0 cents on average.

Among the big movers for early July were locations in Appalachia. For example, Eastern Gas South August fixed prices jumped 18.0 cents from July 6-12 to reach $1.506, according to Forward Look. The balance of summer tacked on 13.0 cents to average $1.320, while the winter 2023-2024 strip slipped 1.0...