Weekly natural gas cash prices lost ground despite brief bouts of wintry weather and stronger heating demand in parts of the central and eastern United States. This was offset by mild temperatures elsewhere and robust production that ultimately hampered both physical markets and futures.

NGI’s Weekly Spot Gas National Avg. for the Feb. 12-16 period shed 18.0 cents to $1.785.

As the trading week closed, El Paso Permian in West Texas was down 13.5 cents to 93.5 cents, while Consumers Energy in the Midwest was off 18.0 cents to $1.605, and El Paso San Juan in the Rockies was down 37.0 cents to $1.640.

The March Nymex natural gas contract slumped throughout most of the week, as forecasts pointed to milder weather ahead and supplies remained abundant. Production held around 105...