Cash

The natural gas cash market on average slipped by a penny in Wednesday’s trading, with many points trading within just a few pennies of unchanged. Great Lakes locations were flat to a couple of pennies lower, and the Gulf mostly registered losses of 2-3 cents. California prices were squarely in the red. At the close of futures trading, July had added 5.3 cents to $3.777 and August was up by 5.4 cents to $3.797. July crude oil added a half buck to $95.88/bbl.

Natural gas cash market quotes were on average nearly 5 cents lower Tuesday for Wednesday delivery as near-term weather patterns showed moderation in key eastern energy-consuming regions. Northeast locations led the trend lower, but major market centers nationally were lower as well. At the close of trading, July futures had fallen 7.6 cents to $3.724, and August was off 7.8 cents to $3.743. July crude oil declined 39 cents to $95.38/bbl.

The physical natural gas cash market fell on average by 2 cents Wednesday as traders noted continuing weather-derived weakness at Northeast points. The Midwest was mixed and Gulf points eased a couple of pennies. The spot July contract was finally able to breach the $4.00 barrier and settled 0.3 cent higher at $4.001. August finished unchanged at $4.015, and July crude oil added 43 cents to $93.74/bbl.

Cash prices eased 4 cents overall Tuesday with pronounced weakness seen at Northeast points as well as the Midcontinent. Gulf points were mostly steady. At the close of uninspired futures trading, July had added 0.7 cent to $3.998 and August had managed to rise by 0.6 cent to $4.015. July crude oil slipped 14 cents to $93.31/bbl.

Cash natural gas prices fell 6 cents Monday, led by multi-dollar declines at Northeast points. East points were soft as well, and California locations were mixed. At the close of futures trading, July had added 0.7 cent to $3.991 and August was higher by 0.6 cent to $4.009. July crude oil added $1.48 to $93.45/bbl.

Natural gas cash prices overall for weekend and Monday delivery played catch-up with Thursday’s screen decline and dropped on average approximately 16 cents nationally. Volatile Northeast and eastern locations led the slide and double-digit declines were common.

Cash prices overall were steady Thursday in large part due to physical traders getting their deals done prior to the release of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) storage figures and subsequent price volatility.

Overall natural gas cash prices rose by 5 cents on average Wednesday as quotes were boosted by soaring eastern power prices and underlying forecasts of temperatures as much as 20 degrees above normal. Dollar-plus gains occurred at Northeast points and in the Mid-Atlantic, prices were well bid as well. Great Lakes and Midwest points were also firm. At expiration June futures had limped off the board losing 2.6 cents to $4.155, and July fell 4.0 cents to $4.184. July crude oil lost $1.88 to $93.13/bbl.

After disconcerting Utica Shale production figures were released earlier this month by Ohio regulators, industry analysts said they were disappointed with the results of the first two test wells Halcon Resources Corp. drilled in the play, and EV Energy Partners (EVEP) said it is continuing to look for buyers interested in its holdings there.