Midwest

Citing “dangerously low” propane supplies throughout the country, but particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has asked FERC for an emergency order to allow, or if necessary direct, Enterprise TE Products Pipeline Company LLC to temporarily provide priority treatment to propane shipments from Mont Belvieu, TX.

The confluence of events that wracked Midwest and Northeast propane markets during January really could not have been foreseen, and while the energy industry is doing what it can to fix the situation, it faces limitations, Enterprise Products Partners LP COO Jim Teague said Thursday during an earnings conference call.

Aging power plants, competitive natural gas prices and increasingly strict environmental regulations will drive continued growth in demand for gas-fired power generation in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region, according to a MISO-commissioned study released Friday. The region’s gas supply outlook is poised to benefit from new sources of production, provided appropriate infrastructure development occurs.

Physical prices rose for a second consecutive day, while futures climbed higher for a third day.

Friday deliveries of physical natural gas on average were unchanged in Thursday’s trading as most traders elected to get their deals done ahead of what can often turn into a market broadside once the Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases storage figures at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Natural gas prices for volumes delivered Thursday fell nationally in Wednesday’s trading, with the steepest declines at Northeast points as temperatures were expected to moderate. Midwest locations were off less than a dime and major market hubs averaged about a nickel lower.

Physical natural gas for Tuesday delivery on average rose a dime Monday, with gains widespread and only a handful of points in the loss column. Particularly strong were East and Northeast points, boosted by high next-day power prices and forecasts calling for Tuesday readings as much as 20 degrees above normal.

Natural gas has real opportunities for growth in the upper Midwest and nationally, especially in the industrial and transportation fuel sectors, Nicor Gas President Elizabeth Reese told the LDC Gas Forum Mid-Continent meeting Monday in Chicago.

The physical natural gas market continued its trek lower losing 4 cents on average overall Wednesday. Losses were close to a nickel in the Midwest, about 3 cents in the Midcontinent and about a nickel lower at most major market centers. At the close of futures trading September had posted a new five-month low closing at $3.247, down 7.1 cents on the day. October also dropped 7.1 cents to $3.272. September crude oil fell 93 cents to $104.37/bbl.