Natural gas prices that some might describe as astronomically low and the unfolding of the North American shale gas story aren’t enough to dissuade the chief executives of at least two Midwestern utilities from their tried-and-true gas procurement strategies.
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Despite Volatility, Midwest Utilities Stick to Procurement Script
Natural gas prices that some might describe as astronomically low and the unfolding of the North American shale gas story aren’t enough to dissuade the chief executives of at least two Midwestern utilities from their tried-and-true gas procurement strategies.
Withdrawal of 88 Bcf Increases Storage Surplus; Futures Drop
The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) report Thursday of an 88 Bcf storage withdrawal did nothing to dissuade the recent downward momentum of March natural gas futures. After notching a low of $8.170 late in the session, the prompt month settled at $8.347, down 37.6 cents from Wednesday’s close.
Bearish Storage Data Does Little to Dissuade Pre-Holiday Sell-Off
Capping another tumultuous trading week, the natural gas futures market tumbled lower on New Year’s Eve in selling surges both before and after the release of bearish storage data featuring a paltry 80 Bcf net withdrawal. Within minutes of the report’s release, the February contract dropped to $6.05 — 90 cents off the spike high carved out less than 24 hours earlier.
Meager Five-Cent Futures Gain Does Little to Dissuade Market Bears
Though a casual look at the 4.7-cent increase and $4.677 close in September futures might suggest the trading action was price-supportive Tuesday, that analysis fails to take into account the myriad of factors that paint a decidedly bearish picture of the trading session. Not only did the natural gas futures market fail to keep pace with crude oil prices Tuesday, but it also lacked any substantial buying boost after probing down to key support at $4.60 on Monday. At 51,457, estimated volume was also weak, evidence that the market is without a clear consensus.
Modest Rebound Friday Does Little to Dissuade Bearish Sentiment
It was not a very stellar week for Nymex natural gas bulls. After notching a new, three-month high and closing the previous week in fine form, natural gas futures entered last week poised to move higher. As it turns out, however, looks can be deceiving and the July contract was hit with a wave of negative price factors last week.
Choppy Trading Does Little to Dissuade Increasing Bullish Sentiment
Almost exactly as it did Friday, natural gas futures opened higher, but ultimately tumbled lower Monday as technical factors and scale-up selling dictated the trading action. The August contract finished at $2.947, up 1.4 cents for the day, but more than a nickel below its mid-morning high at $3.00. Volume was heavy with an estimated 108,301 contracts changing hands.
Choppy Trading Does Little to Dissuade Increasing Bullish Sentiment
Almost exactly as it did Friday, natural gas futures opened higher, but ultimately tumbled lower Monday as technical factors and scale-up selling dictated the trading action. The August contract finished at $2.947, up 1.4 cents for the day, but more than a nickel below its mid-morning high at $3.00. Volume was heavy with an estimated 108,301 contracts changing hands.
Five-Cent Futures Advance Does Little to Dissuade Bearish Sentiment
Following on the heels of Wednesday’s dime advances, natural gas futures continued higher Thursday as nervous buyers re-entered the market to cover short positions. Gains were greatest in the prompt month, November, which advanced 5.1 cents to finish at $2.531. Comparatively, the out-months were less impacted by the buying pressure, as the front end of the market was limited to modest gains, while the back end of the market experienced slight losses. Volume was on the high side with 87,773 contracts estimated to have changed hands.
Calpine Reiterates 70,000 MW Goal by End of 2005
In an attempt to dissuade anyone from the notion that power markets are going to become over-built any time soon, Calpine Corp. held the second of a series of three conference calls last week with the financial community, reinforcing that it is not backing off its goal of having 70,000 MW of new capacity on line by the end of 2005, and growth in its $1.4 billion natural gas holdings will increase along with the new plants.