Midwest

Physical natural gas for delivery Tuesday moved little on average Monday, with gains in California, the Rockies and West Texas nearly offsetting declines in the Gulf, Midcontinent, and Midwest. The NGI National Spot Gas Average fell 2 cents to $2.01.

Natural gas prices for the first week of the traditional heating season made something of a curious entrance. All but two market points followed by NGI posted losses of about a nickel to a dime outside the Northeast. For the week ended Nov. 6 the NGI Weekly Spot Gas Average plummeted21 cents to $1.95, and whereas for the previous week all regions posted a $2 handle, this week all regions except California and the Midwest posted a $1 handle.

Physical natural gas for Thursday delivery staged a broad, double-digit advance in Wednesday’s trading as a strong cold-weather system was expected to pound Rocky Mountain locations and move eastward impacting the East by the weekend. Nearly all points posted double-digit gains, but the Rockies and Midcontinent held a slight edge to the Midwest and Gulf.

The natural gas infrastructure and market dynamics are likely to be altered significantly, operators said Tuesday in Chicago, if the on-going series of east-to-west projects continue to be built from the Marcellus and Utica shales to send new supplies to the Midwest, Canada and Gulf Coast markets.

While early indications point to a repeat of last year’s harsh winter for the U.S. Midwest, it appears natural gas markets in the region are well-prepared as forward prices are currently averaging about 40 cents below year-ago levels thanks to ample production and increased pipeline capacity.

While early indications point to a repeat of last year’s harsh winter for the U.S. Midwest, it appears natural gas markets in the region are well-prepared as forward prices are currently averaging about 40 cents below year-ago levels thanks to ample production and increased pipeline capacity.

Weather forecasts at major population centers in the East and Midwest showed a mild pricing regime, and physical natural gas buyers for the most part elected to take a pass on three-day deals for weekend and Monday volumes.

Led by double-digit declines in the East, physical natural gas for Friday delivery endured a broad setback in Thursday’s trading.

July natural gas is expected to open 8 cents lower Monday morning at $2.74 as overnight weather forecasts for key population centers turned more moderate. Overnight oil markets were narrowly mixed.