Markets

Another day, another wide trading range for natural gas futures prices, which ended Thursday’s session higher after unrelenting volatility. After dropping as low as $3.441, the Nymex January gas futures contract expired 9.9 cents higher at $3.642. The February contract edged up 8.8 cents to $3.546, and March rose 7 cents to $3.353.

Another day, another wide trading range for natural gas futures prices, which ended Thursday’s session higher after unrelenting volatility. After dropping as low as $3.441, the Nymex January gas futures contract expired 9.9 cents higher at $3.642. The February contract edged up 8.8 cents to $3.546, and March rose 7 cents to $3.353.

January natural gas was trading nearly a dime lower at $3.382 just before 9 a.m. Wednesday as production returned close to highs, imports rose and power burns were some of the lowest of the season.

Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) buyers are committing to long-term contracts more than ever, amid signs of a tightening market in what one analyst predicted could create a major gas shortage after 2022.

It was a bumpy road for January natural gas on Wednesday as thin trading after the Christmas holiday made for a volatile session before the prompt month eventually settled higher day/day. The Nymex January gas futures contract rose 7.6 cents to $3.543. Both the February and March contracts were up less than a nickel.

It was a bumpy road for January natural gas on Wednesday as thin trading after the Christmas holiday made for a volatile session before the prompt month eventually settled higher day/day. The Nymex January gas futures contract rose 7.6 cents to $3.543. Both the February and March contracts were up less than a nickel.

Natural gas futures rallied Friday as bulls found support from forecasts showing a potentially chilly start to the new year. In the spot market, deals for delivery over the weekend and Christmas holiday posted discounts as near-term forecasts called for lighter than normal national demand; the NGI Spot Gas National Avg. slumped 18.0 cents to $3.285/MMBtu.

Milder temperatures prompted widespread selling across the Lower 48 during the week ended Friday (Dec. 21), leaving no doubts about the direction of natural gas spot prices heading into the Christmas holiday break; theNGIWeekly Spot Gas National Avg. dropped 75.5 cents to $3.495/MMBtu.

Natural gas futures rallied Friday as bulls found support from forecasts showing a potentially chilly start to the new year. In the spot market, deals for delivery over the weekend and Christmas holiday posted discounts as near-term forecasts called for lighter than normal national demand; the NGI Spot Gas National Avg. slumped 18.0 cents to $3.285/MMBtu.