Usually

In whatever direction populations migrate, increased demand for electricity is almost sure to follow, and usually in step not far behind is increased demand for natural gas, according to analysts at Barclays Capital.

Some may be starting to wonder if it’s a smoke-and-mirrors magic act, but the cash market once again defied what would usually be considered bearish weather fundamentals in continuing to rise at all points Tuesday. It retained substantial prior-day support from June futures having jumped another 17.9 cents Monday, but such positive guidance will be lacking Wednesday after the Nymex contract retreated by 11 cents Tuesday (see related story).

Success usually comes at a cost, as West Virginia’s natural gas producers are finding.

Success usually comes at a cost, as West Virginia’s natural gas producers are finding.

Are natural gas prices going to drop to $6/Mcf at the Henry Hub or even lower? Maybe yes, maybe no, said the usually bullish Raymond James & Associates Inc. energy analysts, who last week cut their full-year 2007 gas forecast to $7.08 from $7.70.

Are natural gas prices going to drop to $6/Mcf at the Henry Hub or even lower? Maybe yes, maybe no, said the usually bullish Raymond James & Associates Inc. energy analysts, who Monday cut their full-year 2007 gas forecast to $7.08 from $7.70.

Congress doesn’t usually pursue new energy legislation unless the industry or its markets is in the throes of some sort of crisis. This legislative season is perhaps a little different, unless, of course, one considers the advent of Democratic control of both houses to be a crisis as well.

Congress doesn’t usually pursue new energy legislation unless the industry or its markets is in the throes of some sort of crisis. This legislative season is perhaps a little different, unless, of course, one considers Democratic control of both houses to be a crisis as well.

Sources indicated that storage injection season is already well under way before what is usually considered its traditional start date — April 1. That demand source, along with continuing solid screen support, were cited as reasons why Thursday’s start of the April aftermarket saw even bigger price jumps in most cases than the one with which March business ended Wednesday.