Might

R.W. Beck’s second quarter gas price forecast could give bulls something to smile about, but bears might prefer to read a recent note from Citigroup’s futures research department.

R.W. Beck’s second quarter gas price forecast could give bulls something to smile about, but bears might prefer to read the latest from Citigroup’s futures research department.

After a month of well above normal temperatures, some winter cold might be ready to take hold in areas of the country over the next three months, according to Andover, MA-based WSI Corp. The weather forecasting firm said its seasonal outlook for the February-April period calls for cooler than normal temperatures in the northeastern states with warmer-than-normal temperatures elsewhere.

Those counting on an LNG bail-out to moderate natural gas prices along about 2007-2008 might have to wait a little longer, according to a report just published by Schroders plc, a global asset management company, whose latest report on North American natural gas markets sees prices remaining at high levels beyond the end of the decade.

The U.S. Navy, having suddenly discovered that LNG cargoes might be traversing their torpedo testing grounds, last week joined the growing chorus of parties asking FERC to reconsider its decision last month to approve the controversial Weaver’s Cove LNG import terminal project in Fall River, MA.

Just when you thought it might be safe to venture back into the natural gas futures market, a day like Tuesday pops up. While the September contract did not break its $9.91 record set on Friday, it did rebound from its soft performance Monday.

The U.S. Navy, having suddenly discovered that LNG cargoes might be traversing their torpedo testing grounds, has joined the growing chorus of parties asking FERC to reconsider its decision last month to approve the controversial Weaver’s Cove LNG import terminal project in Fall River, MA.

The possibility that LNG exporting countries might someday attempt to operate a cartel similar to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in an attempt to control world gas prices and production appears to be a real threat to officials at the American Public Gas Association (APGA).

Despite indications that severe cold might linger in the Northeast and become more entrenched in the Midwest, prices continued to fall throughout most of the cash market Thursday. But several points — mostly in the Rockies — were flat to up slightly, and Westcoast Station 2 managed a gain of nearly C20 cents despite the pipeline’s imbalance tolerances continuing to encourage maximum drafting.