Industry Overview - The U.S. Energy Department reported a natural gas injection of 90 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ended Sept. 12, exceeding market expectations of 78 Bcf and the five-year average of 74 Bcf [3][9] - Total natural gas stocks reached 3,433 Bcf, which is 204 Bcf (6.3%) higher than the five-year average, but only 4 Bcf (0.1%) below the 2024 level [4][9] - Natural gas prices closed at $2.888, down 1.8% from the previous week, influenced by oversupply, weaker LNG exports, and reduced demand [5][9] Market Dynamics - Analysts remain optimistic about the natural gas market, citing robust industrial demand, steady U.S. output, and rising LNG exports as factors likely to tighten balances and support firmer pricing moving into 2026 [1][7] - The total supply of natural gas averaged 111.8 Bcf per day, a decrease of 0.6 Bcf per day from the previous week, due to lower dry production and reduced shipments from Canada [4] Company Focus - The Williams Companies: Positioned to benefit from long-term U.S. natural gas demand growth, with a strong portfolio of large-scale projects and handling a third of U.S. natural gas [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Williams Companies' 2025 earnings per share indicates a 14.5% year-over-year growth [11] - Cheniere Energy: Holds a competitive advantage as the first company to receive regulatory approval for LNG exports from its Sabine Pass terminal, with significant revenue and earnings growth expected [12] - The Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion is progressing well, with construction 68% complete [13] - Excelerate Energy: Specializes in LNG infrastructure and services, representing 20% of the global Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs) fleet [14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Excelerate Energy's 2025 earnings per share indicates a 5.5% year-over-year growth [15]
Natural Gas Futures Retreat as Storage Surplus Hits 200 Bcf