US Natgas Prices Approach 2-Year High
US natural gas futures jumped over 6% to above $3.9/MMBtu on Friday, driven by forecasts of colder weather and increased heating demand over the next two weeks. Meteorologists predict below-normal temperatures in much of the US through January 25, with the coldest days yet to come. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports also hit record levels, with feedgas flows climbing to 15.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd), including a surge in flows to the new Plaquemines LNG plant in Texas. Meanwhile, production showed signs of stabilizing as freeze-offs, which disrupt output during cold weather, began to ease. For the week, natural gas prices rose over 17%, recovering after recent declines.