NGI Data

Prices of natural gas for delivery Thursday inched higher across much of the country except for in the East, where prices dropped from a dime to $1 at most spots, and up to $10 at some often constrained points serving the New England market.

Physical gas prices for Wednesday delivery fell across the country in Tuesday’s trading as many regions were seeing the mercury creep higher. The stoutest declines were seen in the Northeast.

Physical gas for delivery Tuesday took a page from futures and traded lower overall, with New England posting the greatest losses.

Natural gas for weekend and Monday delivery fell in most regions of the country in Friday’s trading. Stout gains were limited to a few points in the capacity-constrained New England region.

The NGI Weekly Spot Gas average for the week ended Dec. 13 bounded higher by $1.03 to average $5.14 led in large part by the Northeast regional gain of $3.18 to average $7.02 as a broad Arctic chill brought the region’s first real dose of winter.

Fueled by the coldest air yet this heating season and cajoled by supportive futures prices, cash prices in the Northeast continued their meteoric rise Wednesday, stair-stepping higher in dollar increments as traders scrambled for molecules amid heavy heating demand. Meanwhile, temperatures across the rest of the nation moderated, albeit slightly, from last week’s frigid cold, and prices eased accordingly. In futures trading, January tacked on an even dime to close Wednesday at $4.337 and February followed suit to settle at $4.331. January crude oil dropped $1.07 to $97.44/bbl.

Physical natural gas for delivery Wednesday retreated around a dime on average with declines in the Midcontinent, Rockies and California more than offsetting gains at eastern points.

Physical natural gas for delivery Tuesday soared 66 cents on average in trading Monday as the Arctic chill continued. Blizzard-like weather maintained a stranglehold on key eastern and Midwest energy markets.

For the week ended Dec. 6 the NGI Weekly Spot Gas Average nationally rose 18 cents to $4.11. The strongest gains were posted in the Rocky Mountains and California with the Rockies adding a stout 75 cents to $4.58 and California quotes gaining 42 cents to $4.38.