US natural gas climbs above $2.90/MMBtu to five-week high

US natural gas prices climbed above $2.90/MMBtu, reaching their highest level in five weeks, after the latest EIA data showed a smaller-than-expected increase in storage.

Utilities added just 15 billion cubic feet of gas last week, below the 20 bcf forecast and well under the 33 bcf five-year average for the period.

Expectations of persistent hot weather also supported prices, with above-normal temperatures forecast across much of the eastern US from August 31 through September 4.

The heat is likely to sustain demand from power generators as air-conditioning use remains elevated.

However, strong domestic production continues to limit the upside.

Output in the Lower 48 states averaged a record 111.4 bcfd in August, up from 110.7 bcfd in July.

Meanwhile, average gas flows to the nine major US LNG export terminals eased slightly to 17.1 bcfd this month from 17.2 bcfd in July, although signs of recovering LNG demand are emerging.