The Energy Information Administration reported a build of 79 Bcf for the week ended August 29, 2014, in its latest Weekly Storage Report. The new inventory total of 2,709 Bcf is 471 Bcf less than 2013 and 495 Bcf below the five-year average (approximately a 15% difference).

The build marks the 18th straight week of gains greater than 74 Bcf, equaling an average of 96 Bcf per week.  Inventories are currently on pace for a record build (roughly 2,600 Bcf, projected). Total storage has climbed a total of 1,728 Bcf since April 25, 2014, which is 23% greater than 2013 (1,411 Bcf) and 28% greater than the five year average (1,239 Bcf).

ECI Data compiled from Bloomberg

ECI Data compiled from Bloomberg

Expect the Steep Climb to Continue

In July, Weather Services International (WSI) forecasted natural gas inventories to “largely recover” due to a cooler than normal summer season. Temperatures in the Central United States, in particular, are expected to remain below-average through at least November, according to WSI’s August forecast.  Dr. Todd Crawford, Chief Meteorologist for WSI, said, “The early indications suggest that a colder winter is favored across much of the central and eastern US.”

Despite the forecast, the EIA projects this winter will have fewer heating degree days on average in its August 2014 Short-Term Energy Outlook. The report believes total natural gas inventory will be 3,463 Bcf by the end of October. In July, ESAI Power LLC, a company who collaborates with WSI, projected inventories to reach 3,700 Bcf by the end of the same time frame, which would be 4% below the five year average. The EIA’s forecast is roughly 10% below the five year average.

Prices Take a Hit

Paul Flemming, Director of Power & Gas at ESAI, said: “With low seasonal demand, natural-gas prices in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region will be soft relative to Henry Hub. Lower demand from the power sector and negligible demand from heating should allow further builds in natural-gas inventories.”

Storage levels are highly unlikely to return to the averages of previous years, but that doesn’t matter, according to analyst groups like BMO Capital Markets.

“The market is plainly comfortable with anticipated storage levels of 3,400 to 3,500 Bcf by the start of the winter heating season given the continued growth in the Marcellus and associated gas,” says a report released in accordance with the inventory build. “Winter weather will now be the key determinant of prices over the next six months.”

Gas prices dropped nearly $0.08 immediately after the EIA release this morning and traded below $3.80 for a portion of the day. The EIA projects spot prices to remain below $4.00/MMbtu through October and end 2014 with an average yearly price of $4.46/MMBtu. Prices for 2015, however, are expected to hover around the $4.00/MMBtu mark.

UBS Investment Research places prices at more of a premium, with a 2014 average of $4.75/MMBtu and a 2015 average of $4.50/MMBtu. “We would note gas has typically lost demand to coal when it exceeds $4.50/MMBtu, but the low storage exit [from 2013] required sustained fuel switching from gas-to-coal throughout this spring and summer to rapidly boost inventories,” reads the report, dated September 4, 2014. “These lower prices have enabled the weather adjusted supply/demand balance to tighten in August and moderate the pace of injections.”

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