U.S. natural gas futures eased on Tuesday on a decline in liquefied natural gas (LNG) export flows, near-record output, and forecasts for weaker demand over the next two weeks than previously expected.
Front-month gas futures for September delivery NGc1 on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 2.7 cents, or 1.0%, to settle at $2.767 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). On Monday, the contract closed at its highest price since July 24.
Financial firm LSEG said average gas output in the U.S. Lower 48 states has risen to 111.1 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) so far in August, up from a monthly record high of 110.7 bcfd in July.
Record output and mild spring weather so far this year have allowed energy firms to keep the amount of gas in inventory higher than the five-year (2021-2025) average since March.