Natural gas futures reversed their earlier losses Thursday, rising despite a large increase in inventories as the market regained momentum above the $4 mark.
Natural gas for October delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange recently traded 7.2 cents, or 1.8% higher, at $4.067 a million British thermal units. Futures had fallen earlier in the day after a government report that the amount of gas in U.S. storage increased by more than expected.
"I think this shows you the reluctance of new sellers to enter the market," said Gene McGillian, an analyst with Tradition Energy.
The gas market has been downtrodden since late July, as the coming end of summer cooling demand pressured prices lower. But after spending early September in choppy, range-bound trading, futures have posted gains in four consecutive sessions, leading to speculation that the typical autumn rally in anticipation of winter's heating demand was on.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported earlier Thursday that gas inventories grew by 103 billion cubic feet last week, as cooler temperatures reduced demand for gas-fired electricity to meet air conditioning needs. Analysts and traders surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires were expecting a 90-bcf build.
The benchmark contract fell as low as $3.852/MMBtu after the report, but recovered as market participants digested the impact of the data.
"Abundant storage levels are already priced in," McGillian said.
Gas in U.S. storage for the week ended Sept. 10 stood at 3.267 trillion cubic feet, 6.2% above the five-year average and 5.3% below recession-hit 2009 levels. The build was well above last year's 67-bcf injection for the same week and the 77-bcf five-year average build for that week. Prices had received some support this summer from below-average storage builds, as record heat in parts of the country increased demand for gas-fired power.
Tropical storm activity isn't expected to significantly lift prices this week. Hurricanes Igor and Julia both continued north through the Atlantic Thursday, away from the Gulf, the National Hurricane Center said. Karl reached hurricane status Thursday, but is projected to move west over Mexico from its current position in the southern end of the Gulf, missing U.S. energy infrastructure.
The Gulf is home to about 11% of U.S. gas production, and prices can jump if storms are seen shutting down production