NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Natural gas futures surged nearly 7% Thursday after the Energy Information Administration reported a decline in U.S. inventories that was more than expected. Natural gas stockpiles fell for the first time in nine months, down 64 billion cubic feet in the week ended Dec. 5. Analysts surveyed by Platts expected a withdrawal of 44 billion to 48 billion cubic feet. After the data, natural gas for January delivery rose 6.7% to $5.227 per million thermal units.