US Natural Inventories

HOUSTON (DTN) -- The Energy Information Administration Thursday reported natural gas held in U.S. storage rose 65 Bcf in the week-ended Nov. 2 to 3.208 Tcf, which is down 580 Bcf or 15.3% from the same time in 2017 and 621 Bcf or 16.2% below the five-year average of 3.829 Tcf.

Market estimates were for a stock build in the 53 Bcf to 65 Bcf range.

The 65 Bcf injection in the week-ended Nov. 2 compared with a 22 Bcf stock build in the same week last year and a five-year average increase of 48 Bcf.

EIA data shows working gas in the South Central Region increased 30 Bcf in the week to 949 Bcf while Midwest stocks rose 24 Bcf to 980 Bcf. Versus five-year average levels, South Central Region inventories were down 297 Bcf or 23.8% while Midwest Region stocks were down 113 Bcf or 10.3%.

East Region natural gas inventories increased 5 Bcf higher during the week-ended Nov. 2 to 831 Bcf, which was down 94 Bcf or 10.2% from the year-ago level and 88 Bcf or 9.6% below the five-year average of 919 Bcf.

EIA data shows natural gas stocks in the Pacific Region rose 3 Bcf in the week at 265 Bcf while Mountain Region stocks increased 2 Bcf to 182 Bcf.

Compared to five-year average levels, Pacific Region stocks were down 86 Bcf or 24.5% while Mountain Region stocks had dropped 37 Bcf or 16.9%.

Brian L. Milne can be reached at brian.milne@dtn.com

(BAS)

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