Active

May natural gas futures continued to advance Monday in active trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Short-term traders noted continued upward momentum carrying over from Friday’s gains, and expect the market to work towards higher price objectives. May finished the day up 14.6 cents to $10.733 and June added 16.9 cents to $10.874. May crude oil gained 79 cents to $117.48/bbl, a record close, on geopolitical developments and a weaker dollar.

Natural gas futures added to Friday’s gains in active trading Monday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Petroleum markets were not at a loss for market-moving developments, and gains were scored across the floor from crude oil to natural gas to petroleum products.

Royal Dutch Shell plc said last week it will merge its active U.S.-based Coral operating companies into Shell Energy North America (US) LP. The merger is expected to be completed in 2008 and affects Coral Energy Resources LP, Coral Power LLC, Coral Energy Management LLC and Coral Gas Marketing LLC.

Royal Dutch Shell plc said Tuesday it will merge its active U.S.-based Coral operating companies into Shell Energy North America (US) LP. The merger is expected to be completed in 2008 and affects Coral Energy Resources LP, Coral Power LLC, Coral Energy Management LLC and Coral Gas Marketing LLC.

December natural gas futures bounded higher in active trading Thursday in spite of inventory data that placed supplies at record levels. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported working-gas supplies rose a hefty 66 Bcf, well above the mid 50 Bcf expected by the industry.

November natural gas futures rocketed higher Monday in active trading as traders fixated mostly on higher crude oil prices in the adjacent trading ring. Funds and managed accounts eager to protect large short holdings did not emerge to defend their position until late in the trading session. November futures gained a hefty 47.1 cents to $7.445 and the December contract added 33.1 cents to $8.012. November crude oil vaulted $2.44 to $86.13 after trading as high as $86.20, a record.

Colorado voters “solidly” back drilling on the natural gas-rich Roan Plateau, a statewide poll has found.

Colorado voters “solidly” back drilling on the natural gas-rich Roan Plateau, a statewide poll has found.

August natural gas futures expired on a positive note Friday, gaining 16.7 cents to settle at $6.110 in active trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Traders cited short-covering as the dominant factor leading to the rise, but in the larger scope they noted that fundamental factors continued to favor the bears. Uninspired temperature and tropical forecasts could lead to a repeat of last year’s price collapse.