Managed

January natural gas managed a tempered gain Tuesday on stout volume, but traders were not dissuaded that the current downtrend was over and looked for a test in the low $3s. At the close January had risen 2.5 cents to $3.279 and February had gained 2.7 cents to $3.321. January crude gained a hefty $2.37 to $100.14/bbl.

The nine-member city council in Colorado’s second largest city, Colorado Springs (pop. 416,000), voted unanimously Wednesday to invoke a 60-day moratorium on oil and gas drilling within the city limits. The action was taken in an emergency meeting scheduled to look at exploration and production (E&P) activity.

Fort Worth-based Quicksilver Resources Inc. continued to chip away at its substantial debt during the third quarter and managed to set a quarterly production record.

Fort Worth-based Quicksilver Resources Inc. continued to chip away at its substantial debt and during the third quarter managed to set a quarterly production record.

October natural gas retreated Tuesday as not all traders are on board with historical seasonal weakness leading to higher prices and the funds and managed accounts being unwilling to push the market lower from present price levels. October lost 3.1 cents to $3.798 and November shed 4.7 cents to $3.885. October crude oil rose $1.19 to $86.89/bbl.

October futures managed a modest gain Monday as traders grapple with a sense of seasonality but are forced to recognize the ongoing trend lower. At the close October had risen 2.0 cents to $3.829 and November was higher by 1.0 cents to $3.932. October crude oil plunged $2.26 to $85.70/bbl as Euro-worried equity markets fell.

Even with heating load staying generally on the light side and weaker prior-day futures, cash prices managed to achieve modest increases at nearly all points Tuesday. It was among other market vagaries in which price moves seemed to be at odds with demand realities.

September natural gas managed a modest gain Wednesday as traders positioned themselves ahead of the weekly inventory report. For every trader anxious to cover a short position there seemed to be another willing initiate a new sale. At the close September had risen nine-tenths of a cent to $4.003 and October added nine-tenths of a cent as well to $4.024. September crude oil rebounded from steep losses in the last two sessions, adding $3.59 to $82.89/bbl.

August natural gas futures managed to hold on to early gains and settle squarely in the bullish camp perplexing some traders. Longer-term observers see a strong physical market and the need to price in reduced injections in upcoming weeks. At the close August had risen 8.3 cents to $4.288, and September had gained 7.3 cents to $4.277. August crude oil fell $1.05 to $95.15/bbl.