【特稿】美国天然气价格创三年来最高

Group 1 - A large winter storm has caused a significant spike in U.S. natural gas prices, reaching a three-year high, with February futures at Henry Hub peaking at $7.43 per million British thermal units, a 140% increase since January 16 [1] - Spot natural gas prices in the northeastern U.S. surged to between $50 and $100 per million British thermal units over the weekend, with transactions on the 26th hitting approximately $150 [1] - The winter storm has resulted in at least 30 fatalities across multiple states and is expected to increase consumer natural gas and electricity expenses [1] Group 2 - Natural gas production in the U.S. decreased by 9% on the 25th, primarily in Texas and the central region, with liquefied natural gas export supplies dropping by 30% due to domestic prices exceeding international prices [2] - The PJM electric grid operator has instructed power plants to secure additional natural gas supplies within a week to meet the surging demand, allowing plants to operate at full capacity despite air quality concerns [2] - As natural gas supply is constrained, the New England region is heavily relying on oil to meet electricity demands, with nearly 700,000 users experiencing power outages across the country as of the afternoon of the 26th [2]