Cash

Cash natural gas prices skidded about 4 cents Thursday as traders made sure they got their deals done prior to the release of storage data by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Tulsa-based midstream operator SemGroup on Wednesday agreed to a $300 million cash price for Chesapeake Energy Corp.’s interests in subsidiary Mid-America Midstream Gas Services LLC, that comes with a 20-year gathering and processing contract for 540,000 net acres in the Mississippian Lime play.

The cash market on average gained 4 cents Wednesday for Thursday delivery as the midsection of the country continued to get lashed by snow, cold and generally winter-like conditions. California and Midwest points were strong, and other market centers posted more moderate gains. At the close of futures trading, June had eased 1.7 cents to $4.326 after posting a new 21-month high at $4.440 earlier in the day. July had fallen 1.5 cents to $4.379, and June crude oil was clobbered, falling $2.43 to $91.03/bbl.

Natural gas cash prices made a mid-spring advance of 4 cents overall Tuesday as a forecast influx of winter-like cold and snow was expected to pummel the nation’s midsection. The largest price increases were seen in the Midwest and Midcontinent, and California and the Gulf also registered gains. New England was flat to lower, and eastern prices made a nominal advance. At the close of futures trading, June had eased 4.9 cents to $4.343 and July was off 4.7 cents to $4.394. June crude oil fell $1.04 to $93.46/bbl.

Southwestern Energy Co., which has proved time and again that making money is possible in some of the onshore natural gas plays, on Monday cut a bargain deal that will nearly double its gassy acreage position in the Marcellus Shale of Pennsylvania.

Natural gas cash prices jumped an average 15 cents Monday for Tuesday delivery as a strong screen provided a firm platform for buyers, and utilities commenced with early summer buying. The advance was widespread and nearly every point posted double-digit gains. A handful of locations were up by 20 cents or more.

Cash prices for weekend and Monday gas on average Friday shed 10 cents as traders were reluctant to hold weekend positions in an environment of moderating weather and easy last-minute dispatch during the weekend.

Cash natural gas prices retreated 11 cents on average Thursday as traders elected to factor in mild temperatures across the country and incorporate Wednesday’s screen weakness ahead of the release of government inventory data.

Natural gas cash prices overall fell 4 cents in Wednesday’s trading as strength at eastern and northeast points was unable to offset slumping quotes at major market hubs and West Coast locations. Losses were widespread and only a few points managed to make it onto the positive side of the trading ledger. At the close of futures trading, May had fallen 7.2 cents to $4.166 and June was down 7.5 cents to $4.203. June crude oil added $2.25 to $91.43/bbl.