Financial group LSEG said average gas output in the U.S. Lower 48 states was up to 111.5 billion cubic feet per day so far in August, up from a monthly record high of 110.7 bcfd in July.
LSEG projected average gas demand in the Lower 48 states, including exports, would slip from 114.8 bcfd this week to 113.6 bcfd next week. The forecast for next week was higher than LSEG's outlook on Tuesday.
Average gas flows to the nine big U.S. LNG export plants stand at 17.2 bcfd so far in August, unchanged from July and slightly lower than a monthly record high of 17.4 bcfd in June.
Elsewhere, benchmark Dutch and British wholesale gas prices traded in a narrow range amid soft demand and strong supply while prospects for a deal to end the nearly six-month U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran receded. NG/EU
Weather outlook and storage data in focus
Meteorologists forecast mostly warmer-than-normal temperatures through September 2, as Cooling Degree Days rose to 217 on Wednesday from 212 on Tuesday. CDDs measure energy demand to cool buildings.
About 40% of U.S. power generation comes from gas-fired plants.
"While the weather-related demand factor may be supporting gas values during the past couple of sessions, the supply side of the equation remains as a major impediment toward sustainable price strength," Ritterbusch added.
Investors now await the U.S. Energy Information Administration's weekly gas storage report which is due on Thursday.
Record output and mild spring weather this year have allowed energy firms to keep the amount of gas in inventory higher than the five-year (2021-2025) average since March.
Gas inventories have remained in surplus despite weeks of above-normal temperatures this summer.
Natural gas futures rise on warmer weather and firm oil prices
U.S. natural gas futures rose to a near four-week high on Wednesday, supported by forecasts for hotter weather and firm oil prices, while investors awaited a federal storage report due this week.
Front-month gas futures for September delivery NGc1 on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 9.6 cents, or 3.5%, to $2.87 per million British thermal units, their highest level since July 24.
Oil prices steadied near a three-week high on uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and other ongoing supply disruptions in the market. O/R
"(Natgas) market is currently edging higher... with the help of some bullish adjustments to the short-term 1–2-week temperature outlooks," consultancy Ritterbusch & Associates said in a note.
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