Overall cash prices added about a nickel on average Wednesday as strength at eastern and other points was able to offset weakness in the Northeast and a steady Midcontinent market. Meanwhile, December futures recorded a 12-month spot contract high on the day at $3.827 before closing out the regular session at $3.760, up 2.1 cents from Tuesday’s finish. January was 2.2 cents higher at $3.879. December crude oil rose 94 cents to $86.32/bbl.
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BHP Takes US$2.8B Charge on Fayetteville Fail
Australia’s BHP Billiton Ltd. is taking a US$2.84 billion pre-tax charge against the value of dry gas assets in the Fayetteville Shale that it acquired just last year due to weak natural gas prices and oversupply.
Texas, Western Points Pace Advance; Futures Gain On Production Stats
Physical prices Monday were up a nickel on average as West Coast traders reported power shortfalls resulting from a delayed restart of nuclear generating capacity, and warm temperatures in Texas added to loads. Government figures reported a modest decline in natural gas production and futures romped higher. At the close of trading June had increased 9.9 cents to $2.285 on stout volume, and July gained 9.5 cents to $2.394. June crude oil eased 6 cents to $104.87/bbl.
Nearly All Points Dip Following Weekend Gains
Finding only relatively moderate cooling load for mid-August in many areas and weighed down slightly by the previous Friday’s near-nickel futures drop, nearly all of the cash market followed up Friday’s gains with softening Monday.
Mixed Pricing Sees Little Change from Flat
Most points remained on the slightly firmer side in ranging from flat to about a nickel higher. Losses of up to nearly a dime were most prevalent at Northeast citygates.
Fayetteville Production Pays Well; Prolific Growth Seen as Likely
The Fayetteville Shale in northern Arkansas not only appears destined for sustained significant growth well into the future but commands some of the highest shale pricing around. One of the chief signals of these optimistic expectations was the Dec. 1 start-up of service on Fayetteville Express Pipeline (FEP), providing a major addition to takeaway capacity for the shale’s producers.
May Futures Fall Below $4 Once Again
Natural gas futures traders continued their recent stretch of back-and-forth trading as the May contract shrugged off Friday’s nickel advance and dropped nearly a dime on Monday. The prompt-month contract reached a low of $3.902 before closing out the regular session at $3.944, down 9.5 cents from Friday’s finish.
May Futures Fall Below $4 Once Again
Natural gas futures traders continued their recent stretch of back-and-forth trading as the May contract shrugged off Friday’s nickel advance and dropped nearly a dime on Monday. The prompt-month contract reached a low of $3.902 before closing out the regular session at $3.944, down 9.5 cents from Friday’s finish.
Screen, Milder Forecasts Result in Overall Price Dips
A few flat to about a nickel higher points in the Rockies, where Wednesday lows were due to sink into the teens, were the exceptions to price dips throughout the rest of the market Tuesday. A futures decline of 9.7 cents a day earlier contributed to the bearishness along with analyst reports of early February forecasts indicating that the weather would not be quite as cold as previously expected.
Screen, Milder Forecasts Result in Overall Price Dips
A few flat to about a nickel higher points in the Rockies, where Wednesday lows were due to sink into the teens, were the exceptions to price dips throughout the rest of the market Tuesday. A futures decline of 9.7 cents a day earlier contributed to the bearishness along with analyst reports of early February forecasts indicating that the weather would not be quite as cold as previously expected.