US natural gas prices dip to one-week low

LAST week, US natural gas futures experienced a 0.24 percent rise, despite straddling a one-week low.

This downward trend was influenced by forecasts of milder weather, abundant gas storage, and low gas flows to LNG export plants, primarily due to service outages at Freeport LNG’s Texas plant.

Freeport LNG announced that two of its three liquefaction trains would be offline until May for testing and repairs. Consequently, front-month gas futures for April delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange dropped to their lowest close since March 15.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated that current gas stockpiles were about 41 percent above typical levels.

This excess in storage, coupled with a decline in gas production, influenced the market. The reduction in output, about 4 percent over the past month, was driven by reduced drilling activities from major firms like EQT and Chesapeake Energy.

Baker Hughes reported that the US gas rig count had dropped to its lowest since January 2022, reflecting this decrease in production.

LSEG data showed a drop in gas output in the Lower 48 U.S. states to 100.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in March, down from 104.1 bcfd in February. However, gas demand, including exports, is expected to rise in the short term with cooler weather, before decreasing as conditions become milder.

Gas flows to major US LNG export plants also decreased, further influencing market dynamics.

Despite the current low prices, energy executives remain optimistic about the future of LNG.

They anticipate a surge in demand from new LNG plants, which could balance the market and increase prices.

However, concerns about oversupply, infrastructure constraints, and the evolving energy landscape pose challenges. There’s a growing focus on renewable energy sources, yet the growing energy demands from sectors like AI and digital technologies could bolster natural gas usage.

Considering the recent trends in storage levels, production cutbacks, and fluctuating demand, the natural gas market appears to be in a state of flux.

The short-term outlook suggests a bearish trend due to the current oversupply and reduced export capacities.

However, the potential increase in demand from cooler weather and the longer-term prospects of new LNG facilities could gradually stabilize and uplift the market.

In the coming week, prices are expected to remain under pressure, reflecting these mixed influences.