The U.S. Energy Department's weekly inventory release showed a higher-than-average rise in natural gas supplies, as domestic consumption declined with increase in temperatures across most parts of the country.
About the Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report
The Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report – brought out by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) every Thursday since 2002 – includes updates on natural gas market prices, the latest storage level estimates, recent weather data and other market activities or events.
The report provides an overview of the level of reserves and their movements, thereby helping investors understand the demand/supply dynamics of natural gas. It is an indicator of current gas prices and volatility that affect businesses of natural gas-weighted companies and related support plays.
Analysis of the Data
Stockpiles held in underground storage in the lower 48 states rose by 88 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ended May 3, 2013, within the guided range (of 86–90 Bcf gain) as per the analysts surveyed by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. (MHP) . But the increase – the fourth injection of 2013 – exceeded both last year’s build of 30 Bcf and the 5-year (2008–2012) average addition of 69 Bcf for the reported week.
Despite past week’s build, the current storage level – at 1.865 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) – is down 737 Bcf (28.3%) from the last year and is 99 Bcf (5.0%) below the benchmark five-year average.
Natural gas stocks hit an all-time high of 3.929 Tcf in early Nov last year, as production from dense rock formations (shale) – through novel techniques of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing – remained robust. In fact, the oversupply of natural gas pushed down prices to a 10-year low of $1.82 per million Btu (MMBtu) during late Apr 2012 (referring to spot prices at the Henry Hub, the benchmark supply point in Louisiana).
However, things have started to look up in recent times. This year, cold winter weather across most parts of the country boosted natural gas demand for space heating by residential/commercial consumers. This, coupled with flat production volumes, meant that the inventory overhang has now gone, thereby driving commodity prices to $4.38 per MMBtu – the highest since Sep 2011.
This, in turn, is expected to buoy natural gas producers, particularly smaller players like Bill Barrett Corp. (BBG), Linn Energy LLC (LINE) and Forest Oil Corp. (FST) . With the financial incentive to produce the commodity and the subsequent improvement in the companies’ ability to generate positive earnings surprises, they are likely to move higher from their current Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
But as the weather continues to turn milder and temperatures reach above-normal levels, natural gas demand may suffer in the near future on account of above-average builds, thereby pulling down prices again.
BILL BARRETT CP (BBG): Free Stock Analysis Report
FOREST OIL CORP (FST): Free Stock Analysis Report
LINN ENERGY LLC (LINE): Free Stock Analysis Report
MCGRAW HILL FIN (MHP): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Get all Zacks Research Reports and be alerted to fast-breaking buy and sell opportunities every trading day.
Be the first to comment