Reluctance

Physical natural gas prices on average lost a whopping 36 cents Friday as the normal reluctance of buyers to commit to weekend gas was compounded by a weak screen, near-record gas in inventories, forecast warmth for the upcoming week in major energy markets and reports of ever-higher domestic production.

Physical natural gas prices for weekend and Monday delivery overall fell on average 4 cents as traders expressed a reluctance to commit to a three-day purchase when other alternatives were available. Northeast and California points were especially hard hit. Futures prices took a dive as traders factored in little potential market disruption from Tropical Storm Isaac. September tumbled 10.0 cents to $2.702 and October shed 10.5 cents to $2.734. October crude oil skidded 12 cents to $96.15/bbl.

The physical market for weekend and Monday gas overall fell on average by about 6 cents Friday as traders noted a typical reluctance to purchase weekend supplies amid mild weather forecasts and the weekend reductions of industrial load. Particular weakness was noted at eastern points where warm temperatures were forecast to give way to seasonal readings by Monday and southern California locations tumbled as positive imbalances were expected over the weekend. At the close of futures trading June had jumped 14.8 cents to $2.742 and July added 14.9 cents to $2.822. June crude oil continued its descent dropping $1.08 to $91.48/bbl.

The City Council of Binghamton, NY, voted 6-1 Wednesday night in favor of enacting a two-year ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) within the city limits.

Bart Chilton, a member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), last Tuesday expressed his reluctance to support the agency’s proposal to establish position limits in the swaps market. He instead recommended that the CFTC institute an “interim position ‘points’ system.”

Bart Chilton, a member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Tuesday expressed his reluctance to support the agency’s proposal to establish position limits in the swaps market. He instead recommended that the CFTC institute an “interim position ‘points’ system.”

January natural gas futures rose in modest trading Wednesday as traders still saw the market in control of the weather bulls and expressed reluctance to sell until weather forecasts turned more moderate. At the close January futures were up 10.6 cents to $5.821 and February added 11.2 cents to $5.884. February crude oil gained $2.27 to $76.67/bbl.

With gasoline prices exceeding $5/gallon in parts of the state, Californians are pushing back at the pump and softening their historic reluctance toward additional nuclear generating plants, offshore drilling and liquefied natural gas (LNG) development, according to a new Field Poll.

With gasoline prices exceeding $5/gallon in parts of the state, Californians are pushing back at the pump and softening their historic reluctance toward additional nuclear generating plants, offshore drilling and liquefied natural gas (LNG) development, according to a new Field Poll.