Natural Gas Radar

2026-04-09 23:48

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 04/09/2026 Focus: Natural Gas
Henry Hub entered April at a six-month low of $2.82/MMBtu — rolling from a $3.10 April contract expiration on March 27 into a $2.89 May open — and has spent the week drifting softer on mild temperatures, robust production near 110 Bcf/day, and a Permian Basin so oversupplied that Waha Hub has traded negative prices on 82% of days in 2026, while simultaneously the global LNG market was experiencing the most severe disruption since the 1970s: Qatar's Ras Laffan complex, accounting for ~20% of global LNG supply, sustained Iranian missile damage on March 18 with a confirmed repair timeline of up to five years, U.S. LNG feedgas flows hit an all-time record of 19.7 Bcf/day on March 28 as terminals ran at maximum capacity chasing the extraordinary Henry Hub–TTF spread of $14.89/MMBtu (up 83% from February) and the Henry Hub–JKM spread of $15.23/MMBtu (up 98%), and today's ceasefire announcement sent TTF tumbling ~20% and JKM poised to fall ~17% — narrowing but emphatically not closing the arb — while the U.S. domestic price sat unmoved, capped by infrastructure that is physically maxed out at ~19–20 Bcf/day of export capacity, meaning the molecule bottleneck is steel and concrete, not supply, and the forward curve is already pricing the real risk: December 2026 near $4.70 and January 2027 near $5.10, because the market knows next winter is where this story gets interesting. LNG: Watch where the Henry Hub–TTF spread settles after the ceasefire dust clears. Pre-crisis it ran $3–4/MMBtu. It hit $14.89. If it lands in the $8–10 range post-ceasefire, U.S. terminals are still running flat out and the domestic demand floor holds. If it compresses below $6, feedgas economics shift and the domestic balance loosens further — that's your $2.50 Henry Hub scenario. Key level: The December 2026 contract near $4.70 is the market's real-time referendum on whether Europe successfully rebuilds storage this summer. Watch it weekly. It is more informative than the spot price right now — the spot is weather and production noise, the Dec contract is the structural signal. Bear risk: Shoulder season is arriving into a domestic market that is already soft — production at 110 Bcf/day, storage entering injection season at 3% above the five-year average, and mild spring forecasts across the lower 48. If the ceasefire narrows the arb materially and feedgas demand softens even 1–2 Bcf/day, the domestic price has no near-term floor other than producer economics. The $2.40–$2.60 range is not crazy in a full-resolution scenario. Bull risk: Qatar's Ras Laffan is offline for up to five years — that is not a geopolitical variable, it is a physical infrastructure variable that survives any ceasefire and any diplomatic outcome. Europe must refill storage from a structurally smaller global LNG pool, competing with Asia all summer. If storage build lags behind seasonal norms by July, TotalEnergies' CEO's $40/MMBtu TTF call starts looking prescient — and that re-widens the arb, re-anchors the Dec contract above $5, and the U.S. domestic bull thesis reactivates fast. Golden Pass LNG Train 1 just came online at Sabine Pass (~0.3 Bcf/day of new feedgas demand), and more capacity is coming from Plaquemines and Corpus Christi Stage 3 through 2026–2027. Each new train tightens the domestic balance incrementally and raises the structural floor. The EIA already projects LNG exports hitting 18.6 Bcf/day in 2027 — the insulation that kept Henry Hub cheap for a decade is slowly dissolving, and the market hasn't fully priced that yet.

Today's Update

Updated: 2026-04-09 23:47:05 Length: 517 chars
Natural gas prices have hit a 17-month low, opening April at $2.82/MMBtu, primarily due to robust production near 110 Bcf/day and mild weather. The market's softness is exacerbated by an oversupplied Permian Basin, where negative pricing has been prevalent. Meanwhile, global LNG disruptions, including damage to Qatar's Ras Laffan, have created a bottleneck in exports. With storage levels above the five-year average, the market is cautious, watching for potential price compression as we head into shoulder season.

Executive Summary

Total supply increased by 1.0 BCFD | Total demand decreased by 11.7 BCFD | Market is undersupplied by 5.33 BCFD

Technical Analysis

Overall Technical Score (-5 to +5): -2 (Moderately Bearish)
Current Price: $2.67
Signal: Moderately Bearish

Moving Averages (9/20)

BEARISH

MA(9): $2.84

MA(20): $2.95

Current Price is 2.67, 9 day MA 2.84, 20 day MA 2.95

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BEARISH

MACD: -0.123

Signal: -0.1118

Days since crossover: 2

MACD crossed the line 2 days ago and is in a bearish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 37.17

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 37.17 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 1,540

Avg (20d): 108,883

Ratio: 0.01

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

OVERSOLD

%K: 1.39

%D: 9.15

Stochastic %K: 1.39, %D: 9.15. Signal: oversold

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 9.92

+DI: 18.23

-DI: 20.73

ADX: 9.92 (+DI: 18.23, -DI: 20.73). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

OVERSOLD

Value: -98.61

Williams %R: -98.61 (oversold)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

BELOW MIDDLE

Upper: 3.25

Middle: 2.95

Lower: 2.66

Price vs BBands (20, 2): below middle. Upper: 3.25, Middle: 2.95, Lower: 2.66

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 108.3 108.1 105.2 102.4
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.07
Canadian Imports 4.3 3.5 4.8 4.4
Total Supply 112.6 111.6 110.1 106.87
Industrial Demand 22.5 24.8 23.1 23.53
Electric Power Demand 32.8 31.1 28.1 29.03
Residential & Commercial 28.7 39.2 20.8 26.5
LNG Exports 18.8 19.5 16.2 14.03
Mexico Exports 6.3 6.2 6.7 6.0
Pipeline Fuel 8.83 8.83 6.9 7.33
Total Demand 117.93 129.63 101.9 106.47
Supply/Demand Balance -5.33 -18.03 8.2 0.4

Weather Analysis

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

Weather Analysis Summary

Heating Degree Days (Utility Gas Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 87.0 HDD -20.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 54.0 HDD -42.0 vs Normal
Cooling Degree Days (Population Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 10.0 CDD +3.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 19.0 CDD +12.0 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
04/01 11.0 15.0 -4.0
04/02 12.0 15.0 -3.0
04/03 10.0 15.0 -5.0
04/04 9.0 15.0 -6.0
04/05 13.0 16.0 -3.0
04/06 15.0 16.0 -1.0
04/07 17.0 15.0 +2.0
HDD Forecast
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
04/09 10.0 15.0 -5.0
04/10 9.0 15.0 -6.0
04/11 10.0 14.0 -4.0
04/12 8.0 14.0 -6.0
04/13 5.0 13.0 -8.0
04/14 5.0 13.0 -8.0
04/15 7.0 12.0 -5.0
Recent CDD Data
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
04/01 3.0 1.0 +2.0
04/02 2.0 1.0 +1.0
04/03 2.0 1.0 +1.0
04/04 2.0 1.0 +1.0
04/05 1.0 1.0 +0.0
04/06 0.0 1.0 -1.0
04/07 0.0 1.0 -1.0
CDD Forecast
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
04/09 1.0 1.0 +0.0
04/10 1.0 1.0 +0.0
04/11 2.0 1.0 +1.0
04/12 2.0 1.0 +1.0
04/13 4.0 1.0 +3.0
04/14 5.0 1.0 +4.0
04/15 4.0 1.0 +3.0
Data Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Region: CONUS Climatology: 1981-2010 Normal Period

Economic Analysis

Economic Sentiment Summary

POSITIVE - Economic indicators generally supportive
Dollar Impact: Weaker USD may support commodity prices
Industrial Demand: Strong industrial demand signals
Interest Rate Impact: Stable/lower rates may support demand
Risk Sentiment: Low market volatility/risk appetite

Economic Indicators

USD_INDEX

98.86
Daily: -0.27 (-0.27%)
Weekly: -1.17 (-1.17%)

US_10Y

4.29
Daily: 0.0 (0.05%)
Weekly: -0.02 (-0.46%)

SP500

6824.66
Daily: 41.85 (0.62%)
Weekly: 241.97 (3.68%)

VIX

19.49
Daily: -1.55 (-7.37%)
Weekly: -4.38 (-18.35%)

GOLD

4789.4
Daily: 39.9 (0.84%)
Weekly: 137.9 (2.96%)

COPPER

5.78
Daily: 0.02 (0.28%)
Weekly: 0.21 (3.82%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

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

Report Date: 2026-03-31
Sentiment: Bearish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,514,508
Change: +10,456

Managed Money

-67,616
Change: -13,461
-4.5% of OI

Producer/Merchant

-17,250
Change: -6,340
-1.1% of OI

Swap Dealers

165,678
Change: +2,020
10.9% of OI

Other Reportables

-99,840
Change: +18,612
-6.6% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish and strengthening

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

Report Date: 2026-03-31
Sentiment: Bullish but Weakening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

2,030,970
Change: +28,905

Managed Money

73,347
Change: -20,989
3.6% of OI

Producer/Merchant

287,728
Change: +20,440
14.2% of OI

Swap Dealers

-532,819
Change: +1,479
-26.2% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish but weakening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices decreased to 15.835 EUR/MWh (-2.033). JKM prices decreased to 19.490 USD/MMBtu (-0.375). JKM is trading at a premium of 3.655 to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

TTF Prices

15.835

-2.033

Front month: MAY 26

As of 2026-04-09

JKM Prices

19.490

-0.375

Front month: MAY 26

As of 2026-04-09

JKM-TTF Spread

3.655

23.08%

JKM is trading at a premium to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

As of 2026-04-09

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
20.1
18.2
16.2
14.3
12.4
15.84
19.49
MAY 26
15.59
16.66
JUN 26
15.61
16.95
JUL 26
15.62
16.77
AUG 26
15.66
16.67
SEP 26
15.67
16.23
OCT 26
15.63
16.07
NOV 26
15.66
16.36
DEC 26
15.62
16.18
JAN 27
15.47
15.90
FEB 27
14.70
14.79
MAR 27
13.00
13.38
APR 27
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
MAY 26 15.835
JUN 26 15.589
JUL 26 15.606
AUG 26 15.615
SEP 26 15.658
OCT 26 15.669
NOV 26 15.627
DEC 26 15.659
JAN 27 15.617
FEB 27 15.473
MAR 27 14.698
APR 27 13.004
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
MAY 26 19.490
JUN 26 16.660
JUL 26 16.950
AUG 26 16.765
SEP 26 16.670
OCT 26 16.235
NOV 26 16.075
DEC 26 16.360
JAN 27 16.185
FEB 27 15.905
MAR 27 14.790
APR 27 13.380

LNG Flows Analysis

LNG Flows Summary

2026-03-10 to 2026-04-07
Latest LNG Flow 17.80 BCF/D
Daily Change -1.60 (-8.2%)
30-Day Average
19.03
BCF/D
30-Day High
19.50
BCF/D
30-Day Low
17.80
BCF/D
Data Points
29
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
2026-03-29 19.50 N/A
2026-03-30 19.40 -0.10
2026-03-31 18.90 -0.50
2026-04-01 18.80 -0.10
2026-04-02 19.00 +0.20
2026-04-03 19.00 +0.00
2026-04-04 19.00 +0.00
2026-04-05 19.30 +0.30
2026-04-06 19.40 +0.10
2026-04-07 17.80 -1.60

News & Sentiment Analysis

Market Sentiment Overview

NEUTRAL
Average Polarity: 0.05
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 152
Last Updated: 2026-04-09 23:47:53

Commodity Sentiment

CRUDE_OIL

-0.6

NATURAL_GAS

0.7

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $2.67
Closest Support: $2.66 0.37% below current price
Closest Resistance: $3.88 45.32% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.66 Support
0.236 $3.88 Resistance
0.382 $4.64
0.5 $5.25
0.618 $5.85
0.786 $6.72
1.0 $7.83

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $9.23
1.618 $11.02
2.0 $12.99
2.618 $16.18

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $2.67
Forecast Generated: 2026-04-09 23:47:54
Next Trading Day: DOWN 0.84%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2026-04-10 $2.65 $2.44 $2.85
2026-04-11 $2.65 $2.45 $2.86
2026-04-12 $2.66 $2.45 $2.86
2026-04-13 $2.67 $2.46 $2.87
2026-04-14 $2.67 $2.47 $2.87

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price decrease of ~0.84% for the next trading day (2026-04-10), reaching $2.65.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2026-04-10 and 2026-04-14.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~15.3% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bearish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

Current market data indicates a moderately bearish sentiment with a technical score of -2/5. Traders should be aware of the Fibonacci support level at 2.66 and a resistance level at 3.88. The ML price forecast suggests a potential decrease of 0.84% with a trading range of 2.44 to 2.85. This indicates possible short-term volatility as the market adjusts to cooling demand across regions.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

With a fundamental balance of -5.33 BCFD and an increase in demand change of +12.70, producers should consider adjusting their production planning to align with the current market dynamics. The negative sentiment in crude oil, particularly due to geopolitical risks, suggests that hedging strategies may be essential to mitigate potential price declines.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

Consumers should prepare for potential cost fluctuations as the market sentiment remains neutral. The current forecasts indicate low heating demand and low cooling demand, which may stabilize supply reliability. However, with the fundamental balance showing a negative trend, procurement strategies should consider potential price increases in the medium term.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The market landscape is currently shaped by a moderately bearish technical outlook and a fundamental balance reflecting a significant decrease in demand. The cooling demand across all regions coupled with a neutral news sentiment indicates that while immediate price movements may be subdued, longer-term shifts could arise from changes in geopolitical conditions and supply disruptions. Analysts should monitor these factors closely for any potential outlook shifts.

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