Natural Gas Inventory Report 7-17-08

Working gas in storage was 2,312 Bcf as of Friday, July 11, 2008, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 104 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 361 Bcf less than last year at this time and 49 Bcf below the 5-year average of 2,361 Bcf. In the East Region, stocks were 17 Bcf below the 5-year average following net injections of 68 Bcf. Stocks in the Producing Region were 11 Bcf below the 5-year average of 753 Bcf a net injection of 25 Bcf. Stocks in the West Region were 22 Bcf below the 5-year average after a net addition of 11 Bcf. At 2,312 Bcf, total working gas is within the 5-year historical range.

Natural Gas Inventory Report 7-10-08

Working gas in storage was 2,208 Bcf as of Friday, July 4, 2008, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 90 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 389 Bcf less than last year at this time and 70 Bcf below the 5-year average of 2,278 Bcf. In the East Region, stocks were 27 Bcf below the 5-year average following net injections of 61 Bcf. Stocks in the Producing Region were 20 Bcf below the 5-year average of 737 Bcf a net injection of 14 Bcf. Stocks in the West Region were 22 Bcf below the 5-year average after a net addition of 15 Bcf. At 2,208 Bcf, total working gas is within the 5-year historical range.

Natural Gas Inventory Report 7-03-08

Working gas in storage was 2,118 Bcf as of Friday, June 27, 2008, according to EIA estimates. This represents a net increase of 85 Bcf from the previous week. Stocks were 381 Bcf less than last year at this time and 57 Bcf below the 5-year average of 2,175 Bcf. In the East Region, stocks were 27 Bcf below the 5-year average following net injections of 57 Bcf. Stocks in the Producing Region were 4 Bcf below the 5-year average of 707 Bcf a net injection of 18 Bcf. Stocks in the West Region were 26 Bcf below the 5-year average after a net addition of 10 Bcf. At 2,118 Bcf, total working gas is within the 5-year historical range.

Natural gas futures gained 13.7 cents to $13.526 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Chesapeake Energy Hits Record High

Shares of Chesapeake Energy (NYSE CHK) hit a record high on Wednesday after the company announced a joint venture with Plains Exploration & Production Co. to develop a natural gas deposit in the Haynesville shale.


Plains Exploration has agreed to buy a 20 percent interest in Chesapeake's leasehold for $1.65 billion in cash.

Plains Exploration and Production also agreed to finance half of Chesapeake's 80 percent share of drilling and completion costs for future wells. These payments would be made over several years and would cap out at an additional $1.65 billion.

Shares of CHK hit a record high of $74 before retreating to close at $69.40.