Natural Gas Radar

2026-03-12 23:47

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 03/12/2026 Focus: Natural Gas
Natural gas is trading like a tug-of-war between a comfortable U.S. balance sheet and a suddenly nervous global LNG market. Henry Hub bounced from $2.85 to the $3.24–$3.25 zone, which is now acting as the technical anchor level, even though weather models have softened demand forecasts from roughly 137 Bcf/d toward ~113 Bcf/d over the next couple of weeks. Under the hood the U.S. system is still well supplied with Lower-48 production near 110–112 Bcf/d, gas rigs around 132 (near a 2.5-year high), and storage around ~1.9 Tcf, only about 2% below the five-year average, which normally caps rallies. What is keeping prices supported is the global LNG story: Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex, responsible for roughly 20% of global LNG supply, remains offline, while the Strait of Hormuz disruption threatens a route carrying about one-fifth of global LNG trade, pushing European gas toward €50/MWh and tightening the global market. At the same time, U.S. LNG exports are already running near capacity around 19–20 Bcf/d, meaning any global disruption effectively pins export demand at maximum levels and keeps a floor under Henry Hub. If $3.247 holds as support, the market likely starts hunting the next magnet around $3.449, because even with mild weather the combination of near-normal storage, strong LNG demand, and global gas anxiety makes sub-$3 prices increasingly difficult to justify.

Today's Update

Updated: 2026-03-12 23:46:42 Length: 527 chars
Natural gas is currently in a tug-of-war, balancing a well-supplied U.S. market with a jittery global LNG backdrop. Prices have risen from $2.85 to around $3.25, with Henry Hub finding support as mild weather forecasts soften demand. U.S. production remains robust at 110–112 Bcf/d, while storage sits 2% below the five-year average. Global tensions, especially disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz impacting LNG routes, keep prices buoyed. If support at $3.247 holds, we may see a push towards $3.449 as supply fears intensify.

Executive Summary

Total supply increased by 0.1 BCFD | Total demand decreased by 5.8 BCFD | Market is undersupplied by 16.32 BCFD

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -1 (Neutral)
Current Price: $3.24
Signal: Neutral

Moving Averages (9/20)

BULLISH

MA(9): $3.08

MA(20): $3.04

Current Price is 3.24, 9 day MA 3.08, 20 day MA 3.04

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BULLISH

MACD: -0.1469

Signal: -0.2204

Days since crossover: 8

MACD crossed the line 8 days ago and is in a bullish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 49.4

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 49.4 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 2,438

Avg (20d): 143,830

Ratio: 0.02

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

BULLISH CROSS

%K: 64.67

%D: 53.04

Stochastic %K: 64.67, %D: 53.04. Signal: bullish cross

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 15.08

+DI: 30.29

-DI: 17.94

ADX: 15.08 (+DI: 30.29, -DI: 17.94). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: -35.33

Williams %R: -35.33 (neutral zone)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

ABOVE MIDDLE

Upper: 3.28

Middle: 3.04

Lower: 2.8

Price vs BBands (20, 2): above middle. Upper: 3.28, Middle: 3.04, Lower: 2.8

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 109.3 107.8 106.2 103.2
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1
Canadian Imports 4.2 5.6 5.2 4.93
Total Supply 113.5 113.4 111.5 108.3
Industrial Demand 22.6 22.9 24.4 24.23
Electric Power Demand 38.6 36.0 28.1 30.0
Residential & Commercial 35.1 42.7 32.6 32.8
LNG Exports 18.2 18.9 16.1 14.23
Mexico Exports 6.5 6.3 6.3 5.83
Pipeline Fuel 8.83 8.83 7.4 7.33
Total Demand 129.82 135.62 114.9 114.37
Supply/Demand Balance -16.32 -22.22 -3.4 -6.07

Weather Analysis

Natural Gas Weather Impact: MODERATE heating demand - typical winter conditions (BELOW normal heating demand) (Heating-dominated conditions driving natural gas demand)

Weather Analysis Summary

Heating Degree Days (Utility Gas Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 95.0 HDD -71.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 138.0 HDD -10.0 vs Normal
Cooling Degree Days (Population Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 10.0 CDD +10.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 10.0 CDD +10.0 vs Normal

Weather Trend Analysis (Click charts to zoom)

HDD Analysis
HDD Analysis Chart
CDD Analysis
CDD Analysis Chart

Detailed Data

Recent HDD Data
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
03/04 18.0 25.0 -7.0
03/05 17.0 24.0 -7.0
03/06 14.0 24.0 -10.0
03/07 14.0 24.0 -10.0
03/08 12.0 23.0 -11.0
03/09 10.0 23.0 -13.0
03/10 10.0 23.0 -13.0
HDD Forecast
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
03/12 18.0 22.0 -4.0
03/13 18.0 21.0 -3.0
03/14 17.0 21.0 -4.0
03/15 16.0 21.0 -5.0
03/16 21.0 21.0 +0.0
03/17 26.0 21.0 +5.0
03/18 22.0 21.0 +1.0
Recent CDD Data
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
03/04 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/05 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/06 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/07 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/08 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/09 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/10 2.0 0.0 +2.0
CDD Forecast
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
03/12 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/13 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/14 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/15 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/16 2.0 0.0 +2.0
03/17 1.0 0.0 +1.0
03/18 2.0 0.0 +2.0
Data Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Region: CONUS Climatology: 1981-2010 Normal Period

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

NEGATIVE - Economic indicators showing headwinds
Dollar Impact: Strong USD may pressure commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Weaker industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Rising rates may impact energy demand
Risk Sentiment: Moderate market volatility

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

99.79
Daily: 0.56 (0.57%)
Weekly: 0.8 (0.81%)

US_10Y

4.27
Daily: 0.06 (1.54%)
Weekly: 0.14 (3.39%)

SP500

6672.62
Daily: -103.18 (-1.52%)
Weekly: -67.4 (-1.0%)

VIX

27.29
Daily: 3.06 (12.63%)
Weekly: -2.2 (-7.46%)

GOLD

5110.4
Daily: -57.0 (-1.1%)
Weekly: -35.7 (-0.69%)

COPPER

5.82
Daily: -0.03 (-0.44%)
Weekly: 0.06 (1.09%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

Natural Gas Positioning (NAT GAS NYME - NEW YORK MERCANTILE EXCHANGE)

Report Date: 2026-03-03
Sentiment: Bearish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,606,292
Change: -13,239

Managed Money

-76,252
Change: -377
-4.7% of OI

Producer/Merchant

18,397
Change: -11,975
1.1% of OI

Swap Dealers

165,963
Change: +13,154
10.3% of OI

Other Reportables

-130,170
Change: -7,526
-8.1% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish and strengthening

Crude Oil Positioning (WTI-PHYSICAL - NEW YORK MERCANTILE EXCHANGE)

Report Date: 2026-03-03
Sentiment: Bullish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

2,073,033
Change: -29,672

Managed Money

68,385
Change: +685
3.3% of OI

Producer/Merchant

178,669
Change: +47,906
8.6% of OI

Swap Dealers

-400,996
Change: -53,450
-19.3% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish and strengthening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices increased to 16.794 EUR/MWh (+0.497). JKM prices increased to 15.980 USD/MMBtu (+0.060). JKM is trading at a discount of 0.814 to TTF, suggesting weaker Asian demand.

TTF Prices

16.794

+0.497

Front month: APR 26

As of 2026-03-12

JKM Prices

15.980

+0.060

Front month: APR 26

As of 2026-03-12

JKM-TTF Spread

-0.814

-4.85%

JKM is trading at a discount to TTF, suggesting weaker Asian demand.

As of 2026-03-12

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
18.4
17.4
16.3
15.3
14.2
16.79
15.98
APR 26
16.75
18.09
MAY 26
16.57
17.88
JUN 26
16.39
17.23
JUL 26
16.28
16.66
AUG 26
16.18
16.41
SEP 26
16.15
16.18
OCT 26
16.07
16.09
NOV 26
15.98
16.09
DEC 26
15.90
16.04
JAN 27
15.63
15.74
FEB 27
14.72
14.58
MAR 27
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
APR 26 16.794
MAY 26 16.745
JUN 26 16.570
JUL 26 16.392
AUG 26 16.276
SEP 26 16.179
OCT 26 16.150
NOV 26 16.067
DEC 26 15.980
JAN 27 15.896
FEB 27 15.632
MAR 27 14.716
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
APR 26 15.980
MAY 26 18.095
JUN 26 17.875
JUL 26 17.235
AUG 26 16.655
SEP 26 16.410
OCT 26 16.175
NOV 26 16.085
DEC 26 16.085
JAN 27 16.035
FEB 27 15.745
MAR 27 14.580

LNG Flows Analysis

LNG Flows Summary

2026-02-10 to 2026-03-11
Latest LNG Flow 18.80 BCF/D
Daily Change +0.00 (+0.0%)
30-Day Average
18.75
BCF/D
30-Day High
19.20
BCF/D
30-Day Low
18.20
BCF/D
Data Points
30
Days

LNG Flows Trend (Click to zoom)

LNG Flows Chart
×

LNG Flows Analysis

Zoomed Chart

Recent LNG Flows Data

Date LNG Flow (BCF/D) Change from Previous
2026-03-02 18.60 N/A
2026-03-03 18.80 +0.20
2026-03-04 18.40 -0.40
2026-03-05 18.20 -0.20
2026-03-06 18.60 +0.40
2026-03-07 18.60 +0.00
2026-03-08 18.90 +0.30
2026-03-09 18.20 -0.70
2026-03-10 18.80 +0.60
2026-03-11 18.80 +0.00

News & Sentiment Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

BULLISH
Average Polarity: 0.675
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 233
Last Updated: 2026-03-12 23:47:29

Commodity Sentiment

NATURAL_GAS

0.65

CRUDE_OIL

0.7

Top News Topics

Supply (24 articles)

Geopolitical (22 articles)

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $3.24
Closest Support: $2.78 14.2% below current price
Closest Resistance: $3.97 22.53% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.78 Support
0.236 $3.97 Resistance
0.382 $4.7
0.5 $5.3
0.618 $5.9
0.786 $6.75
1.0 $7.83

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $9.2
1.618 $10.95
2.0 $12.88
2.618 $16.0

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $3.23
Forecast Generated: 2026-03-12 23:47:30
Next Trading Day: UP 0.87%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2026-03-13 $3.26 $2.8 $3.72
2026-03-14 $3.25 $2.79 $3.71
2026-03-15 $3.25 $2.79 $3.71
2026-03-16 $3.24 $2.78 $3.7
2026-03-17 $3.24 $2.78 $3.7

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price increase of ~0.87% for the next trading day (2026-03-13), reaching $3.26.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2026-03-13 and 2026-03-17.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~28.3% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bullish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

Current market conditions present a neutral sentiment with a technical score of -1/5. The Fibonacci support level is at 2.78 while resistance is noted at 3.97. Traders should monitor these levels closely for potential breakout opportunities.

The ML price forecast indicates an expected increase of 0.87%, suggesting a short-term upward trend within the range of 2.8 to 3.72. However, the fundamental balance shows a deficit of -16.32 BCFD, which could introduce volatility in pricing. Traders should be prepared for potential fluctuations around these indicators.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

The current market sentiment of +0.675, along with the fundamental balance deficit, indicates that producers may need to adjust their production planning and hedging strategies accordingly. The recent geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Mideast, are driving demand and could affect supply stability.

Producers should consider the implications of high heating demand due to the weather outlook, especially in regions like the Northeast and Midwest, where heating degree days (HDD) are significantly elevated. This could lead to increased natural gas demand, impacting pricing and production strategies.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

With the anticipated high heating demand, consumers should prepare for potential cost fluctuations in energy procurement. The fundamental balance indicates a tightening supply situation, which may lead to higher prices in the near term.

Utilities should closely monitor the supply reliability risks stemming from geopolitical tensions and changing weather patterns. The ML forecast suggests a slight increase in prices, which may prompt consumers to review their procurement strategies and consider hedging options to mitigate cost impacts.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The energy market is currently influenced by a mix of bullish sentiment and underlying bearish fundamentals. The fundamental balance deficit of -16.32 BCFD alongside a market sentiment score of +0.675 indicates potential upward pressure on prices.

Analysts should focus on the implications of the weather outlook, particularly the high heating demand across various regions, which could lead to shifts in consumption patterns. The convergence of these factors suggests a complex market landscape that may require adaptive strategies moving forward.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or specific buy/sell recommendations.