By Anthony Harrup

U.S. natural gas inventories likely rose at a near-normal rate last week, leaving the surplus over the five-year average intact, according to a Wall Street Journal survey of analysts.

Natural gas in underground storage is expected to have increased by 58 billion cubic feet to 3,011 Bcf in the week ended July 4, according to the average estimate of 10 analysts, brokers and traders. Estimates range from an injection of 44 Bcf to an injection of 66 Bcf.

The expected increase is slightly larger than the five-year average build for the week of 53 Bcf, and would leave storage 178 Bcf above the average.

In its Short Term Energy Outlook this week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said it expects the injection season to end Oct. 31 with 3,910 Bcf in storage, up 5% from its previous estimate and 3% higher than the five-year average.

"Our forecast for more natural gas in storage and lower prices comes after seven consecutive weeks (from late April to early June) of net injections greater than 100 billion cubic feet contributed to a recovery in storage volumes," the EIA said. The agency is scheduled to report weekly storage data on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Write to Anthony Harrup at anthony.harrup@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 09, 2025 12:38 ET (16:38 GMT)

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