Cash prices were about 12 cents lower on average Tuesday as next-day power prices across the East slumped and the weather outlook called for temperatures to rise to seasonal norms.
Slumped
Articles from Slumped
January Futures Expiration Brings Profit Taking
Following Monday’s explosion to $6, profit taking was the name of the game on expiration Tuesday as the January natural gas futures contract slumped to terminate at $5.814, down 17.6 cents. February futures slid 15.6 cents to $5.840.
Advent of REX-East Service Helps Compress Rockies Basis Spreads
It’s been well established for a long time that prices in the Rockies, which slumped to record lows of 1 cent/Mcf in a few instances in 2007, have been the low market on the North American natural gas price totem pole. But the initiation of service in May 2008 on the western section of Rockies Express (REX-West), with its major addition of takeaway capacity for Rockies supplies through Audrain County, MO, eventually proved to be a major boon for Rockies numbers, and the addition of REX-East transport to the Lebanon Hub in Ohio near the end of June this year has further served to compress basis to other regions.
Advent of REX-East Service Helps Compress Rockies Basis Spreads
It’s been well established for a long time that prices in the Rockies, which slumped to record lows of 1 cent/Mcf in a few instances in 2007, have been the low market on the North American natural gas price totem pole. But the initiation of service in May 2008 on the western section of Rockies Express (REX-West), with its major addition of takeaway capacity for Rockies supplies through Audrain County, MO, eventually proved to be a major boon for Rockies numbers, and the addition of REX-East transport to the Lebanon Hub in Ohio near the end of June this year has further served to compress basis to other regions.
Market Weakness Still Dominant in Weekend Trade
The week was officially crowned “weak” on Friday as cash market points across the United States slumped for the sixth consecutive day of trading. News of four developing storm systems in the tropics proved no match for the declines put in by September natural gas futures on the week.
Majors’ Output Falls Despite Higher Spending
ExxonMobil Corp. spent 38% more to look for oil and natural gas reserves in 2Q2008 — nearly $7 billion worldwide — but the oil major’s output still slumped 8% from the same period a year ago. Exxon’s record profit, up 14%, barely topped the earnings reported by rival Royal Dutch Shell, which reported a 1% production decline. Meanwhile, Chevron Corp.’s earnings were up 11%, but output dropped 3.4%.
Exxon, Shell Output Falls Despite Higher Spending
ExxonMobil Corp. spent 38% more to look for oil and natural gas reserves in 2Q2008 — nearly $7 billion worldwide — but the oil major’s output still slumped 8% from the same period a year ago. Exxon’s record profit, up 14%, barely topped the earnings reported by rival Royal Dutch Shell, which reported a 1% production decline.
Moderating Weather Forecasts Trip Futures; July Loses 17.3 cents
July natural gas futures slumped Friday as forecasts called for moderate temperatures to envelop eastern and Midwest energy markets. A weaker petroleum complex also tugged prices lower. At the end of the day July natural gas closed at $12.625, down 17.3 cents from Thursday and 6.8 cents lower than the previous week’s finish.
Futures Falter After $8 Breach Failure
After putting in a strong start Thursday, February natural gas futures slumped in afternoon trading to close at $7.674, down 17.6 cents from Wednesday. The current below-normal temperatures in much of the East kept the prompt month contract from giving back all of its recent gains, but a warm-up in the near future could exert more downward pressure on prices.
‘Subdued’ Energy Trading, Mild Weather Wear on Entergy’s 1Q
First quarter earnings for New Orleans-based Entergy Corp. slumped 47% from low volatility in its energy trading unit and on mild weather, but the company still managed to beat Wall Street forecasts by a penny.