-- US natural gas futures pared earlier gains in after-hours trade on Wednesday but remained at a two-week high, as heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding conflicts in the Middle East lent support to prices.
Both the front-month Henry Hub contract and the continuous benchmark edged up 0.63% to $2.714 per million British thermal units.
Prices had earlier traded as high as $2.76/MMBtu during the session.
Market sentiment was underpinned by expectations that the Strait of Hormuz could remain closed for an extended period, a development that would likely sustain or boost demand for US LNG exports.
However, gains were capped by a weak near-term domestic demand outlook. Forecasts for warmer-than-average temperatures are expected to reduce heating demand in the coming days. Data cited by Barchart from the Commodity Weather Group indicate above-normal temperatures will likely persist across the eastern half of the US through Apr. 26, followed by cooler weather into May.
Gelber & Associates said forward weather patterns may provide some support, noting that a cooler bias into early May could modestly lift heating demand. Still, the firm added that the lack of meaningful cooling demand continues to limit overall consumption.
Storage expectations also weighed on the market. Analysts anticipate a larger-than-normal inventory build in the US Energy Information Administration's weekly report due Thursday. Market estimates call for an increase of 94-97 billion cubic feet for the week ended Apr. 17, well above the five-year average build of 64 Bcf for the period.
On the supply side, dry gas production in the Lower 48 states was estimated at 110.3 Bcf/d, up 3.3% from a year earlier, according to data from BNEF. Demand across the region was pegged at 68.4 Bcf/d, a 2.2% increase year over year.
Flows to US LNG export terminals remained steady, with net feedgas deliveries estimated at 20.1 Bcf/d, up 1.6% from the previous week.