Natural Gas Natural gas futures were among the
quarter's key decliners -LRB--7.5 %, to US$ 2.73 per million British thermal units) as production growth outweighed seasonal consumption and higher exports
of the fuel.1 Spot prices saw an even larger drop
of 20.6 % (to US$ 2.81) as the support
of December's weather - related demand spikes faded and a more normal winter pattern developed.1 Natural gas generally took its downward price cues from elevated US production and growth in the natural gas - focused
rig count, which increased from 179 to 194 in March alone.2 Despite the price drop, traders remained optimistic given surging US shale - gas exports and a supply deficit that was 20 % larger than the five - year average at March - end, the
biggest in four years.3 Moreover, total natural gas inventories
of 1.38 trillion cubic feet were nearly 33 % below their year - ago level.3 Meanwhile, the market appeared focused on an anticipated production surge (2018 is projected to be a record growth year for gas supplies) and may have overlooked intensifying demand as US exports increasingly helped drain supplies.