Overall

California’s preliminary state agency-drafted rules for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) have been targeted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which has criticized state regulators as being in “denial” of potential harmful environmental impacts of fracking.

The cash market overall averaged 9 cents higher Friday as eastern portions of the country were still in the crosshairs of a major storm that traversed the country earlier in the week. The advance was broad and led by New England locations, and the isolated points that did show losses endured setbacks of a couple of pennies or less. January futures fell 1.1 cents to $3.451, and February gave up 1.3 cents to $3.482. February crude oil shed $1.47 to $88.66/bbl.

No points were left untouched Thursday as overall cash prices tumbled on average 13 cents. The Northeast suffered not only from a moderate weather outlook but also the arrival of copious quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that entered the market.

Cash prices overall rose more than a nickel on average Monday led by Northeast and Eastern points, but pricing points in the Midwest were almost entirely in the red — from a couple of pennies to more than a dime. At the close of trading January futures had fallen 9.1 cents to $3.46 and February also had dropped 9.1 cents to $3.487. January crude oil was down 37 cents to $85.56/bbl.

Support for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) among New Yorkers remained unchanged overall, as a sharp increase in backing among suburbanites canceled out flagging support from Upstate voters, according to a Siena College Research Institute poll released Wednesday.

Cash prices overall added an average nearly 15 cents Wednesday as multi-dollar gains at New England points led the charge higher. Midcontinent points posted solid gains, but the East and California chalked up even higher ones. At the close of trading January futures had surged 16.1 cents to $3.700 and February had jumped 15.8 cents to $3.720. January crude oil fell 62 cents to $87.88/bbl.

Cash natural gas prices skidded overall an average of 10 cents Monday as forecasts for mild temperatures and weakening power prices kept buyers at bay. Northeast points were particularly hard hit, but eastern and Great Lakes locations were also pummeled. At the close of trading January futures had managed a gain of 3.0 cents to $3.591 and February had risen 3.1 cents to $3.615. January crude oil added 18 cents to $89.09/bbl.

Cash prices overall fell an average of about a nickel Wednesday as temperature outlooks held close to seasonal norms and power generation economics got out of alignment. New England points suffered multi-dollar declines, but eastern and Texas prices weakened as well. At the close of trading the expired December contract had fallen 7.3 cents to $3.696 and January had lost 9.1 cents to $3.801. January crude oil fell 69 cents to $86.49/bbl.

Physical gas prices overall on average rose a nickel Tuesday, continuing Monday’s stout advance. However, while a scattering of Gulf Coast points managed gains, hefty losses were noted in the Midwest, Great Lakes and in more than a handful of Northeast locations. Options strategies seemed to be in play for the December contracts, and at the close December futures had risen 3.9 cents to $3.769 and January was higher by 2.4 cents to $3.892. January crude oil fell 56 cents to $87.18/bbl.