The price of natural gas hit a new 14 year high this summer. New energy investments in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 aim to combat rising prices, but will it be enough to stave off the high natural gas prices analysts predict for the winter ahead?
“Virtually all of our fundamental and technical indicators continue to flash green lights toward higher [natural-gas] price levels”
Trading firm Ritterbusch & Associates to clients on August 22.
Azi Feifel
COO PROSPECT RESOURCES
Trends in the Energy Market
As August comes to its end, natural gas is currently trading in the $9.00 / MMBtu range through the coming winter, with March 2023 futures showing a significant drop.
The summer has been very hot, both domestically and globally. September is also projected to be warmer than average. This has continued to boost the outlook for gas-fired electric power demand.
Natural gas production rose to 97.6 Bcf per day in August, up 1.1 Bcf per day from the previous month.
It appears that the Freeport LNG export terminal will resume operations in early November. The increased export volumes will impact underground storage.
Prompt month crude oil futures remain neutral. Delayed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear capabilities will create some upward support for WTI futures.
The economy is showing mixed signals. Job openings and hiring are up. The financial markets were up in August but are bearish heading into September, as the Fed intends to be hawkish on interest rates.
Forward electricity prices were up in virtually all ISO regions. ISONY has seen some moderation.
The intensity of the cooling demand in ERCOT (TX) has subsided somewhat. There were a total of 47 days of +100F in June thru mid-August.
Trending Energy Topics
The price of natural gas hit its highest mark in 14 years this summer
Are higher costs the new normal? The pandemic, war in Ukraine, and supply chain issues are part of the story driving higher costs. Conventional energy production is a global market, and some of the global dynamics right now are unique. This is a problem that's going to require a new sort of solution. Hear the story on WSJ Your Money Briefing.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is single biggest climate investment in U.S. history
Analysts see even higher prices ahead for natural gas prices this winter
“We are beginning to see a lag in storage builds that could lead to a precarious situation during the draw season in the event of a harsher-than-expected winter,” said Neal Dingmann, an energy equities analyst at Truist Securities. “There is potential for a winter U.S. superspike.” Read the full story here.
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FROM 2014 TO 2020, PROSPECT RESOURCES SAVED A RENTAL PROPERTY GROUP $1,289,454. THE CLIENT SAVED 19.53% ON THEIR TOTAL ENERGY EXPENDITURE AND 7.5% ON THEIR ELECTRICITY COSTS.
The case study demonstrates how active energy procurement helped PRI achieve this instead of relying on long-term energy contracts that can leave lots of market risk for property managers.
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When you introduce us to a friend, we’ll give them a free analysis and recommendation for how to optimize their energy usage. You’ll get a Visa gift card for $300 if they become a paying client. To refer your friend, simply email an introduction to your friend and Azi Feifel at azi@prospectresources.com.
Did you know?
The U.S. General Services Administration defines plug loads as the energy used by equipment that is plugged into an outlet. In an office, plug loads can average approximately 30% of electricity use in office settings
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