Daily Energy Market Updates

First Look

The September ’26 natural gas contract is trading up $0.05 at $2.89. The October ‘26 crude oil contract is up $0.35 at $82.58.

What We're Tracking

The September 2026 NYMEX natural gas contract rallied seven cents yesterday to settle at $2.84/MMBtu, finding support from warmer temperature forecasts and stronger demand expectations through early September. The move comes as traders position themselves ahead of today's contract expiration and the weekly storage report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, where consensus expectations call for a relatively light 10 Bcf injection, reflecting a tighter-than-normal balance for late August. Beyond the prompt month, forward pricing remained relatively stable, with only modest gains observed through 2030. Fundamentally, the market remains well supported, with dry gas production holding steady near 109 Bcf/d, LNG feedgas demand climbing above 18 Bcf/d for the first time since early July, and exports to Mexico remaining strong. Weather continues to drive sentiment, with above-normal temperatures forecast across much of the eastern U.S. through the first half of September, continuing to support power burn demand. 

Market Update 08-27-26

Market Settles 08-26-26

First Look

The September ’26 natural gas contract is trading up $0.04 at $2.78. The September ‘26 crude oil contract is up $0.27 at $87.01.

What We're Tracking

Yesterday, the Aug ’26 natural gas contract fell eight cents, the 12-month strip declined six cents, Cal ’27 lost four cents, Cal ’28 slipped a penny, and Cal ’29 was unchanged as natural gas futures continued to ease amid expectations for strong supply and comfortable storage levels heading toward the end of summer. Recent price action reflects a market balancing resilient demand from LNG exports and the power sector against near record domestic production and storage inventories that remain above historical norms. Natural gas production continues to hold at elevated levels, reinforcing a well supplied market, while LNG feedgas demand remains a key source of support despite periodic maintenance activity at export facilities. Power burn has remained supportive through August, although slightly milder temperature forecasts have tempered expectations for late-season cooling demand. On storage, the EIA reported a 16 Bcf injection for the week ending August 14, exceeding market expectations and comparing with a 19 Bcf build during the same week last year and a 5-year average injection of 29 Bcf. Working gas inventories are currently 3.169 Tcf, which is 0.9% below year ago levels and 6.2% above the 5-year average, highlighting the market’s overall supply cushion.

Market Update 08.21.26

Market Settles 08.20.26

First Look

The September ’26 natural gas contract is trading down $0.02 at $2.75. The September ‘26 crude oil contract is down $0.02 at $81.23.

What We're Tracking

Yesterday's NYMEX natural gas trading session saw prices move lower across the front of the curve, with the Sep '26 contract falling $0.08 to settle at $2.73/MMBtu. The Winter 26-27 strip showed similar movement, declining $0.09 day-over-day to $3.43/MMBtu. On the demand side, total US demand falls 3.2 Bcf/d today, driven primarily by a nearly 3.0 Bcf/d drop in power burn. Res/com demand is also lower day-over-day, while industrial demand remains relatively flat. Dry gas production remains relatively flat at 110.8 Bcf/d, down 0.2 Bcf/d from yesterday. LNG feedgas volumes increase 0.2 Bcf/d to 18.6 Bcf/d, though export activity remains below recent highs as maintenance at the Freeport facility continues to limit volumes. On the storage front, inventories currently stand at 3,153 Bcf, 198 Bcf above the 5-year average and 25 Bcf below year-ago levels. Near-term weather forecasts are calling for hotter temperatures across much of the country, which may raise demand as August progresses.

Market Update 08-14-26

Market Settles 08-14-26

First Look

The August ’26 natural gas contract is trading up $0.04 at $2.96. The September ‘26 crude oil contract is up $4.69 at $91.52.

What We're Tracking

Natural gas prices moved higher yesterday, with the Aug '26 contract settling at $2.925/MMBtu, up 3.3 cents on the day, while modest gains were seen across the forward curve as calendar strips and winter packages also finished higher. Weather forecasts remain relatively mild across the eastern half of the country in the near-term, though warmer-than-normal conditions are expected to persist across the Plains, Rockies, and Western U.S. into the first week of August. Dry gas production remains steady at 107.6 Bcf/d, while power burn demand posted a sharp day-over-day decline as cooler temperatures across key eastern load centers reduced cooling demand. Today's storage report is expected to show a 29 Bcf injection for the week ending July 17, which would be in line with last year's 27 Bcf build and the 30 Bcf 5-year average injection. Much of the price support came from a sharp escalation in the Iran conflict. Global energy markets responded aggressively, with Brent crude surging nearly 5% to around $98/bbl, and European TTF natural gas prices climbing back above $20/MMBtu. 

Market Update - 07-23-26

Market Settles 07-22-26

First Look

The August ’26 natural gas contract is trading up $0.04 at $2.96. The September ‘26 crude oil contract is up $4.69 at $91.52.

What We're Tracking

Natural gas prices moved higher yesterday, with the Aug '26 contract settling at $2.925/MMBtu, up 3.3 cents on the day, while modest gains were seen across the forward curve as calendar strips and winter packages also finished higher. Weather forecasts remain relatively mild across the eastern half of the country in the near-term, though warmer-than-normal conditions are expected to persist across the Plains, Rockies, and Western U.S. into the first week of August. Dry gas production remains steady at 107.6 Bcf/d, while power burn demand posted a sharp day-over-day decline as cooler temperatures across key eastern load centers reduced cooling demand. Today's storage report is expected to show a 29 Bcf injection for the week ending July 17, which would be in line with last year's 27 Bcf build and the 30 Bcf 5-year average injection. Much of the price support came from a sharp escalation in the Iran conflict. Global energy markets responded aggressively, with Brent crude surging nearly 5% to around $98/bbl, and European TTF natural gas prices climbing back above $20/MMBtu. 

Market Update - 07-23-26

Market Settles 07-22-26

First Look

The July ’26 natural gas contract is trading up $0.03 at $3.17. The July ‘26 crude oil contract is down $2.02 at $89.28.

What We're Tracking

Natural gas production remained broadly in line with the prior week, averaging between 106 Bcf/d and the low 108 Bcf/d range. In contrast, total U.S. demand has weakened, averaging below 100 Bcf/d over the past seven days. While temperatures have begun to trend warmer, forward forecasts have moderated expectations over the next 20 days, contributing to bearish pressure on near-term NYMEX pricing. LNG export volumes also remain subdued due to ongoing maintenance, averaging around 16 Bcf/d over the past week. This maintenance is typical for the May through June period, though some facilities have schedules extending into the later summer months. Geopolitically, tensions overseas remain elevated, with continued military activity on both sides. Although having very little effect on the domestic natural gas market, this ongoing conflict is providing support to oil prices and maintaining upward pressure on near-term global LNG prices.

Market Update 06-09-26

Market Settles 06-09-26