Natural Gas Radar

2026-04-12 23:48

Table of Contents

Brian's Thoughts

Published: 04/12/2026 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: 2026-04-12 23:46:57 Length: 596 chars
Natural gas prices have plunged to a 17-month low of $2.82/MMBtu, pressured by mild weather and robust production levels around 110 Bcf/day. The oversupplied Permian Basin, with negative pricing at the Waha Hub, compounds the issue. While U.S. LNG exports hit record highs amidst global supply disruptions, particularly from Qatar, the market's focus remains on the Henry Hub–TTF spread. A key narrative is the potential for future price rebounds if European storage efforts lag, as infrastructure challenges loom ahead. Keep an eye on the December 2026 contract for insights on market stability.

Executive Summary

Total supply increased by 1.3 BCFD | Total demand decreased by 1.9 BCFD | Market is undersupplied by 2.13 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): $2.77

MA(20): $2.9

Current Price is 2.67, 9 day MA 2.77, 20 day MA 2.9

MACD (12, 26, 9)

BEARISH

MACD: -0.1323

Signal: -0.1189

Days since crossover: 4

MACD crossed the line 4 days ago and is in a bearish setup

RSI (14)

NEUTRAL

Value: 37.83

Category: NEUTRAL

RSI is 37.83 (note 70% is overbought and 30% is oversold)

Volume (vs 20d Avg)

LOWER

Current: 4,971

Avg (20d): 112,151

Ratio: 0.04

Volume is lower versus 20 day average

Stochastic (14, 3)

OVERSOLD

%K: 9.07

%D: 5.27

Stochastic %K: 9.07, %D: 5.27. Signal: oversold

ADX (14)

NO TREND

ADX: 9.73

+DI: 18.23

-DI: 20.86

ADX: 9.73 (+DI: 18.23, -DI: 20.86). Trend: no trend

Williams %R (14)

OVERSOLD

Value: -90.93

Williams %R: -90.93 (oversold)

Bollinger Bands (20, 2)

BELOW MIDDLE

Upper: 3.2

Middle: 2.9

Lower: 2.6

Price vs BBands (20, 2): below middle. Upper: 3.2, Middle: 2.9, Lower: 2.6

Fundamental Analysis

Category Current (BCFD) Last Week Last Year 3 Yr Avg
Dry Production 108.7 108.3 105.8 102.43
LNG Imports 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.07
Canadian Imports 5.2 4.3 6.5 5.2
Total Supply 113.9 112.6 112.4 107.67
Industrial Demand 23.2 22.5 23.6 23.3
Electric Power Demand 29.6 32.8 30.3 29.73
Residential & Commercial 29.0 28.7 24.7 23.97
LNG Exports 18.8 18.8 16.6 14.33
Mexico Exports 6.6 6.3 6.6 5.83
Pipeline Fuel 8.83 8.83 7.0 7.33
Total Demand 116.03 117.93 108.8 104.57
Supply/Demand Balance -2.13 -5.33 3.6 3.1

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: 91.0 HDD -16.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 35.0 HDD -51.0 vs Normal
Cooling Degree Days (Population Weighted)
Last 7 Days: 5.0 CDD -2.0 vs Normal
Next 7 Days: 30.0 CDD +23.0 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
04/04 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
04/08 15.0 15.0 +0.0
04/09 12.0 15.0 -3.0
04/10 10.0 15.0 -5.0
HDD Forecast
Date HDD Normal Anomaly
04/12 8.0 14.0 -6.0
04/13 5.0 13.0 -8.0
04/14 4.0 13.0 -9.0
04/15 4.0 12.0 -8.0
04/16 3.0 11.0 -8.0
04/17 4.0 12.0 -8.0
04/18 7.0 11.0 -4.0
Recent CDD Data
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
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
04/08 0.0 1.0 -1.0
04/09 1.0 1.0 +0.0
04/10 1.0 1.0 +0.0
CDD Forecast
Date CDD Normal Anomaly
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 5.0 1.0 +4.0
04/16 5.0 1.0 +4.0
04/17 5.0 1.0 +4.0
04/18 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

99.03
Daily: 0.38 (0.39%)
Weekly: -0.61 (-0.61%)

US_10Y

4.32
Daily: 0.02 (0.56%)
Weekly: -0.02 (-0.42%)

SP500

6816.89
Daily: -7.77 (-0.11%)
Weekly: 205.06 (3.1%)

VIX

19.23
Daily: -0.26 (-1.33%)
Weekly: -4.94 (-20.44%)

GOLD

4740.3
Daily: -21.6 (-0.45%)
Weekly: 83.2 (1.79%)

COPPER

5.81
Daily: -0.06 (-1.03%)
Weekly: 0.27 (4.79%)

CFTC Commitment of Traders Analysis

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

Report Date: 2026-04-07
Sentiment: Bearish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

1,558,863
Change: +44,355

Managed Money

-86,033
Change: -18,417
-5.5% of OI

Producer/Merchant

-9,428
Change: +7,822
-0.6% of OI

Swap Dealers

171,515
Change: +5,837
11.0% of OI

Other Reportables

-97,954
Change: +1,886
-6.3% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bearish and strengthening

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

Report Date: 2026-04-07
Sentiment: Bullish and Strengthening
Positioning: Normal Range

Open Interest

2,037,857
Change: +6,887

Managed Money

78,700
Change: +5,353
3.9% of OI

Producer/Merchant

293,113
Change: +5,385
14.4% of OI

Swap Dealers

-523,579
Change: +9,240
-25.7% of OI

Analysis Rationale (Managed Money):

  • Managed Money sentiment: bullish and strengthening

LNG Market Analysis

LNG Market Summary

TTF prices decreased to 15.493 EUR/MWh (-0.568). JKM prices decreased to 19.420 USD/MMBtu (-0.075). JKM is trading at a premium of 3.927 to TTF, indicating strong Asian demand.

TTF Prices

15.493

-0.568

Front month: MAY 26

As of 2026-04-12

JKM Prices

19.420

-0.075

Front month: MAY 26

As of 2026-04-12

JKM-TTF Spread

3.927

25.35%

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

As of 2026-04-12

Forward Curves Visualization
TTF (EUR/MWh)
JKM (USD/MMBtu)
20.1
18.0
15.9
13.8
11.7
15.49
19.42
MAY 26
15.04
16.53
JUN 26
15.03
16.61
JUL 26
15.02
16.58
AUG 26
15.04
16.38
SEP 26
15.03
15.89
OCT 26
14.95
15.70
NOV 26
14.99
16.00
DEC 26
14.95
15.79
JAN 27
14.79
15.35
FEB 27
14.07
14.41
MAR 27
12.41
12.99
APR 27
TTF Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (EUR/MWh)
MAY 26 15.493
JUN 26 15.040
JUL 26 15.032
AUG 26 15.020
SEP 26 15.040
OCT 26 15.029
NOV 26 14.954
DEC 26 14.988
JAN 27 14.950
FEB 27 14.789
MAR 27 14.075
APR 27 12.415
JKM Forward Curve (Next 12 Months)
Month Price (USD/MMBtu)
MAY 26 19.420
JUN 26 16.530
JUL 26 16.605
AUG 26 16.580
SEP 26 16.375
OCT 26 15.890
NOV 26 15.695
DEC 26 16.000
JAN 27 15.785
FEB 27 15.345
MAR 27 14.410
APR 27 12.995

LNG Flows Analysis

LNG Flows Summary

2026-03-13 to 2026-04-07
Latest LNG Flow 17.80 BCF/D
Daily Change -1.60 (-8.2%)
30-Day Average
19.04
BCF/D
30-Day High
19.50
BCF/D
30-Day Low
17.80
BCF/D
Data Points
26
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

BEARISH
Average Polarity: -0.2
Confidence: 1.0
Articles Analyzed: 81
Last Updated: 2026-04-12 23:47:44

Commodity Sentiment

NATURAL_GAS

0.0

CRUDE_OIL

-0.6

HEATING_OIL

0.0

Fibonacci Levels Analysis

Current Price: $2.67
Closest Support: $2.63 1.5% below current price
Closest Resistance: $3.85 44.19% above current price

Fibonacci Retracement Levels

0.0 $2.63 Support
0.236 $3.85 Resistance
0.382 $4.61
0.5 $5.23
0.618 $5.84
0.786 $6.71
1.0 $7.83

Fibonacci Extension Levels

1.272 $9.24
1.618 $11.04
2.0 $13.03
2.618 $16.24

ML Price Prediction

Current Price: $2.65
Forecast Generated: 2026-04-12 23:47:45
Next Trading Day: UP 0.28%
Date Prediction Lower Bound Upper Bound
2026-04-11 $2.66 $2.46 $2.85
2026-04-12 $2.66 $2.46 $2.86
2026-04-13 $2.67 $2.47 $2.87
2026-04-14 $2.67 $2.47 $2.87
2026-04-15 $2.67 $2.47 $2.87

ML Insights

  • Forecast generated using ARIMA(5, 1, 0).
  • The model predicts a price increase of ~0.28% for the next trading day (2026-04-11), reaching $2.66.
  • The 5-day forecast suggests relatively stable prices between 2026-04-11 and 2026-04-15.
  • The average confidence interval width is ~14.9% of the predicted price, indicating model uncertainty.
  • SIGNAL: Weak bullish signal, high uncertainty.

AI Analysis

💹

For Energy Traders:

Traders should note the moderately bearish sentiment reflected in the technical indicators, with a score of -2/5. The Fibonacci support level is at 2.63, while resistance is at 3.85. This suggests potential price fluctuations within the range of 2.46 to 2.85 as per the ML forecast, indicating a slight upward trend of 0.28%. Traders should be cautious of short-term volatility and consider potential entry points around support levels while monitoring market sentiment closely.

For Producers (Oil & Gas Companies):

Producers should assess the fundamental balance of -2.13 BCFD with a change of +3.20, indicating a tightening market. The overall market sentiment is negative, particularly for crude oil, which may affect pricing strategies. Producers should consider hedging strategies against potential downturns and monitor supply trends, especially as news indicates a slow recovery in oil supply. This could impact operational planning and profitability.

🏭

For Consumers (Industrial/Utilities):

Consumers should prepare for potential cost fluctuations in energy prices, particularly with the current market sentiment. The weather outlook indicates moderate heating demand across most regions, which may stabilize prices temporarily. However, with the fundamental balance showing a negative trend, there may be risks to supply reliability. Consumers should consider proactive procurement strategies and potential hedging to mitigate the impact of price volatility.

📊

For Commodity Professionals (Analysts, Consultants):

The current market is characterized by bearish sentiment with a sentiment score of -0.200. The fundamental balance is negative, indicating a tightening supply-demand dynamic. Key driving factors include moderate heating demand and the ongoing supply challenges in crude oil. Analysts should closely monitor these trends as they could signal shifts in market conditions, possibly leading to a reevaluation of forecasts and strategies moving forward.

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