Natural Gas Spot Prices for October May Be Lowest in Eight Years, Says Energy Department

摘要

Henry Hub gas spot prices will average $2.32/Mcf in October, the lowest monthly average price since September 2001, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted in its Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) on 9/9/09. The agency projects an annual average spot price of $3.65/Mcf this year and $4.78/Mcf in 2010. However, "upward price pressure next year is limited by the sensitivity of natural gas use in the electric power sector to higher natural gas prices and continued expansion of U.S. natural gas production from shale formations." The spot price averaged $3.23/Mcf in August, $0.25/Mcf below the July average. "Prices continue to be pushed lower as robust production adds to already high inventories."