US Natgas Prices Edge Up
US natural gas futures rose above $3.4/MMBtu, driven by higher LNG exports and colder weather forecasts, which are expected to boost heating demand. Gas flows to LNG export plants also increased to 15.1 bcfd so far in February, up from 14.6 bcfd in January, nearing December’s record. Looking ahead, meteorologists predict colder-than-normal weather through February 22, which will likely maintain high demand. Extreme cold in January likely prompted record-level withdrawals from storage, potentially close to the all-time high of 994 bcf in January 2022. On the production side, February gas output in the Lower 48 states has risen to 106.1 bcfd, up from 102.7 bcfd in January, though daily production is set to fall slightly. Meanwhile, Chinese tariffs on US products including LNG, are due to take effect on Monday, with no sign as yet of progress between Beijing and Washington.