受产量下降和创纪录的液化天然气出口的推动,美国天然气期货价格攀升至3.4美元/MMBtu,接近三周高点,而交易员正在等待美国能源信息署延迟的每周储存报告。由于温和的天气减少了需求,预计该报告将显示,截至4月25日的一周,储能建设量将超过往常,达到1070亿立方英尺。这将超过去年640亿立方英尺的增长和五年平均580亿立方英尺。如果得到证实,储存水平将接近季节性标准。支撑价格的是,过去四天的产量下降了35亿立方英尺/日,降至两个月低点1020亿立方英尺·日。此外,由于在建Plaquemines工厂的流量增加,4月份液化天然气出口量达到创纪录的平均160亿立方英尺/日。展望未来,气象学家预测,到5月16日,美国48个州的气温将基本保持高于正常水平。分析师表示,持续的温和天气和高产量可能会导致5月份创纪录的注射。
US natural gas futures climbed toward $3.4/MMBtu, nearing three-week highs, driven by a drop in output and record LNG exports, while traders awaited the delayed weekly storage report from the EIA. The report is expected to show a larger-than-usual storage build of 107 bcf for the week ended April 25, due to mild weather reducing demand. That would surpass both last year’s 64 bcf increase and the five-year average of 58 bcf. If confirmed, storage levels would approach seasonal norms. Supporting prices, production has fallen by 3.5 bcfd over the past four days to a two-month low of 102.0 bcfd. Also, LNG exports hit a record average of 16.0 bcfd in April, driven by increased flows to the under-construction Plaquemines facility. Looking ahead, meteorologists projected temperatures in the Lower 48 states would remain mostly warmer than normal through May 16. Analysts suggest continued mild weather and high output could lead to record injections in May.