Risen

With close cooperation with its major unions, a lot of new management expertise and a commitment throughout its company workforce, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s (PG&E) natural gas system has risen from the trauma of the San Bruno pipeline rupture and explosion two and a half years ago, Nick Stavropoulos, PG&E Corp. executive vice president of gas operations, told an energy conference in Houston Tuesday.

Natural gas use in power generation has risen significantly this summer because of weather-driven demand for air conditioning and rock-bottom natural gas prices, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said.

February natural gas futures rose Wednesday as traders covered short positions ahead of the release of government inventory figures. At the close February had risen 10.3 cents to $3.096 and March had gained 10.5 cents to $3.127. February crude oil rose by 26 cents to $103.22/bbl.

Futures rose Monday as traders looked to cover existing short positions prior to expiration of October futures and options. At the close October had risen 8.1 cents to $3.782 and November was up 7.9 cents to $3.845. November crude oil added 39 cents to $80.24/bbl.

September natural gas rose Tuesday despite projections showing moderating temperatures and higher inventory injections. At the close September natural gas had risen 5.9 cents to $3.994 but failed to settle above important resistance at $4, and October had added 5.8 cents to $4.015. September crude oil plunged $2.01 to $79.30/bbl.

August natural gas futures rose Monday as traders anticipated the long-term storage deficit becoming wider. At the close August futures had risen 5.2 cents to $4.363 and September had added 4.1 cents to $4.371. August crude oil bounded higher, posting a gain of $1.95 to $96.89/bbl.

July natural gas rose Tuesday as traders cited a resilient market and expected forecasts of warmer-than-normal temperatures. At the close July had risen 7.1 cents to $4.388 and August had gained 7.1 cents as well to $4.423. July crude oil added 14 cents to $93.40.

Natural gas spot prices are up around 35% from the lows in May, and gas-focused equities have risen 10% over the last month, but is it the beginning of a rally or merely a blip?

Natural gas spot prices are up around 35% from the lows in May, and gas-focused equities have risen 10% over the last month, but is it the beginning of a rally or merely a blip?