US natural gas prices climbed to $2.94/MMBtu, the highest level in nearly eight weeks, driven by persistent heat and stronger LNG export activity. Forecasts call for temperatures to remain mostly above normal across the central US through mid-September, likely sustaining robust demand for gas-fired power generation.
At the same time, average gas deliveries to the nine major LNG export terminals increased to 18.3 bcfd in early September, up from 17.2 bcfd in August. The gain reflects a return to full operations at Cheniere Energy’s Corpus Christi facility and at Freeport LNG in Texas following maintenance.
Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall near the Texas–Louisiana border, but LNG facilities in the region have so far reported no significant operational disruptions.
On the supply side, natural gas output in the Lower 48 states averaged a record 111.5 bcfd in August, up from 110.7 bcfd in July. This ample production is keeping the market well supplied and helping to cap further price gains.
