Nat-Gas Prices Underpinned by Forecasts for Colder U.S. Weather

Jan Nymex natural gas (NGF23) on Tuesday closed up +0.348 (+5.28%).

Jan nat-gas prices Tuesday extended their sharp week-long rally to a 1-1/2 week high on signs of colder U.S. temperatures that would boost heating demand for nat-gas.  The Commodity Weather Group on Tuesday said that below-normal temperatures are expected across the U.S. from Dec 18-22.  Also, the Midwest and part of the South will face temperatures 20 or more degrees below normal Dec 23-24.

Lower-48 state dry gas production on Tuesday was 99.5 bcf (+2.8% y/y), modestly below the record high of 103.6 bcf posted on Oct 3, according to BNEF.  Lower-48 state gas demand Tuesday was 91.7 bcf/day, up +3.0% y/y, according to BNEF.  On Tuesday, LNG net flow to U.S. LNG export terminals was 12.4 bcf/day, up +12.8% w/w.

An increase in U.S. electricity output is bullish for nat-gas demand from utility providers.  The Edison Electric Institute reported last Wednesday that total U.S. electricity output in the week ended Dec 3 rose +2.0% y/y to 75,205 GWh (gigawatt hours).  Also, cumulative U.S. electricity output in the 52-week period ending Dec 3 rose +2.1% y/y to 4,121,681 GWh.

In a bearish factor, the Freeport LNG export terminal said on Dec 2 that it expects to restart its facility around year-end, a further delay from its previous indication of a mid-December restart.  The closure of the facility has been bearish for nat-gas prices since the reduction in LNG exports has boosted U.S. nat-gas inventories.  The facility has been closed since an explosion on June 8.  The Freeport terminal normally accounts for about 20% of all U.S. nat-gas exports and receives about 2 bcf, or 2.5%, of the output from the lower 48 U.S. states.

Nat-gas prices have support as EU countries agreed to cut nat-gas demand from Russia by 15% by early 2023.  Also, Russia recently slashed nat-gas exports to Europe to 20% of capacity, putting upward pressure on European nat-gas prices.

Last Thursday's weekly EIA report was bearish for nat-gas prices since it showed U.S. nat gas inventories fell -21 bcf in the week ended Dec 2, a smaller decline than expectations of -28 bcf.  Moreover, inventories have recovered and are now only -1.6% below their 5-year seasonal average.

Baker Hughes reported last Friday that the number of active U.S. nat-gas drilling rigs in the week ended Dec 9 fell by -2 to 153 rigs, a 5-month low and moderately below the 3-1/4 year high of 166 rigs posted in the week ended Sep 9.  Active rigs have more than doubled from the record low of 68 rigs posted in July 2020 (data since 1987).
 

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