Chat with us, powered by LiveChat

August 7, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Market Update: Natural gas markets came under renewed pressure this week as a larger-than-expected storage build and a softening weather outlook pushed NYMEX September futures to a four-month low at $2.616/MMBtu. The October and November contracts also touched new lows at $2.67 and $2.90/MMBtu, respectively. EBW Analytics noted that cooling in the near-term forecast suggests "the next five days may mark the last major national cooling demand boost of the summer," adding potential for further downside. The national average cash price was $2.410/MMBtu on August 6.

On the supply side, Permian Basin production curtailments have largely reversed following the startup of new pipeline egress in June. Waha spot prices, which averaged negative $3.74/MMBtu during February–May, have turned solidly positive. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy flagged tightening global LNG fundamentals, noting European storage is only about 58% full — well below 70% at this point last year — as buyers focus increasingly on supply security heading into winter.

Storage Report: For the week ending July 31, 2026, the EIA reported injection — 3 Bcf above consensus — bringing total working gas to 3,117 Bcf. Stocks now sit 195 Bcf (6.7%) above the five-year average and just 12 Bcf below year-ago levels. Injections were led by the East (+24 Bcf) and Midwest (+20 Bcf), while South Central saw a modest 6 Bcf draw. Analysts expect a slightly smaller 25–30 Bcf build for the week ending August 7.

Weather: The NOAA 6–10 day outlook (valid August 12–16) shows above-normal temperatures favored across the Southeast and much of the West, supporting continued power burn in those regions. However, below-normal temperatures are expected from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with near-normal conditions across the Central Plains and Mid-Atlantic.

Overall, the pattern points to waning summer cooling demand nationally as the northern tier cools heading into the back half of August — a bearish signal for gas prices consistent with the current soft market tone.

Market Data:

August 7, 2026

Weekly Natural Gas Storage (Values listed in Bcf)
Totals may not equal sum of components because of independent rounding.
CME (Henry Hub) Natural Gas Futures (Values listed in dekatherms) 
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdD.htm
Utility Costs of Gas (Values listed in dekatherms)
Local First of the Month Markets (Values listed in dekatherms)

Weekly Energy News

August 7, 2026

Market Update: Natural gas markets came under renewed pressure this week as a larger-than-expected storage build and a softening weather outlook pushed NYMEX September futures to a four-month low at $2.616/MMBtu. The October and November contracts also touched new lows at $2.67 and $2.90/MMBtu, respectively. EBW Analytics noted that cooling in the near-term forecast suggests "the next five days may mark the last major national cooling demand boost of the summer," adding potential for further downside. The national average cash price was $2.410/MMBtu on August 6.

On the supply side, Permian Basin production curtailments have largely reversed following the startup of new pipeline egress in June. Waha spot prices, which averaged negative $3.74/MMBtu during February–May, have turned solidly positive. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy flagged tightening global LNG fundamentals, noting European storage is only about 58% full — well below 70% at this point last year — as buyers focus increasingly on supply security heading into winter.

Storage Report: For the week ending July 31, 2026, the EIA reported injection — 3 Bcf above consensus — bringing total working gas to 3,117 Bcf. Stocks now sit 195 Bcf (6.7%) above the five-year average and just 12 Bcf below year-ago levels. Injections were led by the East (+24 Bcf) and Midwest (+20 Bcf), while South Central saw a modest 6 Bcf draw. Analysts expect a slightly smaller 25–30 Bcf build for the week ending August 7.

Weather: The NOAA 6–10 day outlook (valid August 12–16) shows above-normal temperatures favored across the Southeast and much of the West, supporting continued power burn in those regions. However, below-normal temperatures are expected from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with near-normal conditions across the Central Plains and Mid-Atlantic.

Overall, the pattern points to waning summer cooling demand nationally as the northern tier cools heading into the back half of August — a bearish signal for gas prices consistent with the current soft market tone.

Market Data:

August 7, 2026

Weekly Natural Gas Storage (Values listed in Bcf)
Totals may not equal sum of components because of independent rounding.
CME (Henry Hub) Natural Gas Futures (Values listed in dekatherms) 
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngwhhdD.htm
Utility Costs of Gas (Values listed in dekatherms)
Local First of the Month Markets (Values listed in dekatherms)

August 7, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Market Update: Natural gas markets came under renewed pressure this week as a larger-than-expected storage build and a softening weather outlook pushed NYMEX September futures to a four-month low at $2.616/MMBtu. The October and November contracts also touched new lows at $2.67 and $2.90/MMBtu, respectively. EBW Analytics noted that cooling in the near-term forecast suggests "the next five days may mark the last major national cooling demand boost of the summer," adding potential for further downside. The national average cash price was $2.410/MMBtu on August 6.

On the supply side, Permian Basin production curtailments have largely reversed following the startup of new pipeline egress in June. Waha spot prices, which averaged negative $3.74/MMBtu during February–May, have turned solidly positive. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy flagged tightening global LNG fundamentals, noting European storage is only about 58% full — well below 70% at this point last year — as buyers focus increasingly on supply security heading into winter.

Storage Report: For the week ending July 31, 2026, the EIA reported injection — 3 Bcf above consensus — bringing total working gas to 3,117 Bcf. Stocks now sit 195 Bcf (6.7%) above the five-year average and just 12 Bcf below year-ago levels. Injections were led by the East (+24 Bcf) and Midwest (+20 Bcf), while South Central saw a modest 6 Bcf draw. Analysts expect a slightly smaller 25–30 Bcf build for the week ending August 7.

Weather: The NOAA 6–10 day outlook (valid August 12–16) shows above-normal temperatures favored across the Southeast and much of the West, supporting continued power burn in those regions. However, below-normal temperatures are expected from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with near-normal conditions across the Central Plains and Mid-Atlantic.

Overall, the pattern points to waning summer cooling demand nationally as the northern tier cools heading into the back half of August — a bearish signal for gas prices consistent with the current soft market tone.

August 7, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Market Update: Natural gas markets came under renewed pressure this week as a larger-than-expected storage build and a softening weather outlook pushed NYMEX September futures to a four-month low at $2.616/MMBtu. The October and November contracts also touched new lows at $2.67 and $2.90/MMBtu, respectively. EBW Analytics noted that cooling in the near-term forecast suggests "the next five days may mark the last major national cooling demand boost of the summer," adding potential for further downside. The national average cash price was $2.410/MMBtu on August 6.

On the supply side, Permian Basin production curtailments have largely reversed following the startup of new pipeline egress in June. Waha spot prices, which averaged negative $3.74/MMBtu during February–May, have turned solidly positive. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy flagged tightening global LNG fundamentals, noting European storage is only about 58% full — well below 70% at this point last year — as buyers focus increasingly on supply security heading into winter.

Storage Report: For the week ending July 31, 2026, the EIA reported injection — 3 Bcf above consensus — bringing total working gas to 3,117 Bcf. Stocks now sit 195 Bcf (6.7%) above the five-year average and just 12 Bcf below year-ago levels. Injections were led by the East (+24 Bcf) and Midwest (+20 Bcf), while South Central saw a modest 6 Bcf draw. Analysts expect a slightly smaller 25–30 Bcf build for the week ending August 7.

Weather: The NOAA 6–10 day outlook (valid August 12–16) shows above-normal temperatures favored across the Southeast and much of the West, supporting continued power burn in those regions. However, below-normal temperatures are expected from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with near-normal conditions across the Central Plains and Mid-Atlantic.

Overall, the pattern points to waning summer cooling demand nationally as the northern tier cools heading into the back half of August — a bearish signal for gas prices consistent with the current soft market tone.

August 7, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Market Update: Natural gas markets came under renewed pressure this week as a larger-than-expected storage build and a softening weather outlook pushed NYMEX September futures to a four-month low at $2.616/MMBtu. The October and November contracts also touched new lows at $2.67 and $2.90/MMBtu, respectively. EBW Analytics noted that cooling in the near-term forecast suggests "the next five days may mark the last major national cooling demand boost of the summer," adding potential for further downside. The national average cash price was $2.410/MMBtu on August 6.

On the supply side, Permian Basin production curtailments have largely reversed following the startup of new pipeline egress in June. Waha spot prices, which averaged negative $3.74/MMBtu during February–May, have turned solidly positive. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy flagged tightening global LNG fundamentals, noting European storage is only about 58% full — well below 70% at this point last year — as buyers focus increasingly on supply security heading into winter.

Storage Report: For the week ending July 31, 2026, the EIA reported injection — 3 Bcf above consensus — bringing total working gas to 3,117 Bcf. Stocks now sit 195 Bcf (6.7%) above the five-year average and just 12 Bcf below year-ago levels. Injections were led by the East (+24 Bcf) and Midwest (+20 Bcf), while South Central saw a modest 6 Bcf draw. Analysts expect a slightly smaller 25–30 Bcf build for the week ending August 7.

Weather: The NOAA 6–10 day outlook (valid August 12–16) shows above-normal temperatures favored across the Southeast and much of the West, supporting continued power burn in those regions. However, below-normal temperatures are expected from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with near-normal conditions across the Central Plains and Mid-Atlantic.

Overall, the pattern points to waning summer cooling demand nationally as the northern tier cools heading into the back half of August — a bearish signal for gas prices consistent with the current soft market tone.

August 7, 2026

Market Update: Natural gas markets came under renewed pressure this week as a larger-than-expected storage build and a softening weather outlook pushed NYMEX September futures to a four-month low at $2.616/MMBtu. The October and November contracts also touched new lows at $2.67 and $2.90/MMBtu, respectively. EBW Analytics noted that cooling in the near-term forecast suggests "the next five days may mark the last major national cooling demand boost of the summer," adding potential for further downside. The national average cash price was $2.410/MMBtu on August 6.

On the supply side, Permian Basin production curtailments have largely reversed following the startup of new pipeline egress in June. Waha spot prices, which averaged negative $3.74/MMBtu during February–May, have turned solidly positive. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy flagged tightening global LNG fundamentals, noting European storage is only about 58% full — well below 70% at this point last year — as buyers focus increasingly on supply security heading into winter.

Storage Report: For the week ending July 31, 2026, the EIA reported injection — 3 Bcf above consensus — bringing total working gas to 3,117 Bcf. Stocks now sit 195 Bcf (6.7%) above the five-year average and just 12 Bcf below year-ago levels. Injections were led by the East (+24 Bcf) and Midwest (+20 Bcf), while South Central saw a modest 6 Bcf draw. Analysts expect a slightly smaller 25–30 Bcf build for the week ending August 7.

Weather: The NOAA 6–10 day outlook (valid August 12–16) shows above-normal temperatures favored across the Southeast and much of the West, supporting continued power burn in those regions. However, below-normal temperatures are expected from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with near-normal conditions across the Central Plains and Mid-Atlantic.

Overall, the pattern points to waning summer cooling demand nationally as the northern tier cools heading into the back half of August — a bearish signal for gas prices consistent with the current soft market tone.

August 7, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Market Update: Natural gas markets came under renewed pressure this week as a larger-than-expected storage build and a softening weather outlook pushed NYMEX September futures to a four-month low at $2.616/MMBtu. The October and November contracts also touched new lows at $2.67 and $2.90/MMBtu, respectively. EBW Analytics noted that cooling in the near-term forecast suggests "the next five days may mark the last major national cooling demand boost of the summer," adding potential for further downside. The national average cash price was $2.410/MMBtu on August 6.

On the supply side, Permian Basin production curtailments have largely reversed following the startup of new pipeline egress in June. Waha spot prices, which averaged negative $3.74/MMBtu during February–May, have turned solidly positive. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy flagged tightening global LNG fundamentals, noting European storage is only about 58% full — well below 70% at this point last year — as buyers focus increasingly on supply security heading into winter.

Storage Report: For the week ending July 31, 2026, the EIA reported injection — 3 Bcf above consensus — bringing total working gas to 3,117 Bcf. Stocks now sit 195 Bcf (6.7%) above the five-year average and just 12 Bcf below year-ago levels. Injections were led by the East (+24 Bcf) and Midwest (+20 Bcf), while South Central saw a modest 6 Bcf draw. Analysts expect a slightly smaller 25–30 Bcf build for the week ending August 7.

Weather: The NOAA 6–10 day outlook (valid August 12–16) shows above-normal temperatures favored across the Southeast and much of the West, supporting continued power burn in those regions. However, below-normal temperatures are expected from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with near-normal conditions across the Central Plains and Mid-Atlantic.

Overall, the pattern points to waning summer cooling demand nationally as the northern tier cools heading into the back half of August — a bearish signal for gas prices consistent with the current soft market tone.

August 7, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Market Update: Natural gas markets came under renewed pressure this week as a larger-than-expected storage build and a softening weather outlook pushed NYMEX September futures to a four-month low at $2.616/MMBtu. The October and November contracts also touched new lows at $2.67 and $2.90/MMBtu, respectively. EBW Analytics noted that cooling in the near-term forecast suggests "the next five days may mark the last major national cooling demand boost of the summer," adding potential for further downside. The national average cash price was $2.410/MMBtu on August 6.

On the supply side, Permian Basin production curtailments have largely reversed following the startup of new pipeline egress in June. Waha spot prices, which averaged negative $3.74/MMBtu during February–May, have turned solidly positive. Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy flagged tightening global LNG fundamentals, noting European storage is only about 58% full — well below 70% at this point last year — as buyers focus increasingly on supply security heading into winter.

Storage Report: For the week ending July 31, 2026, the EIA reported injection — 3 Bcf above consensus — bringing total working gas to 3,117 Bcf. Stocks now sit 195 Bcf (6.7%) above the five-year average and just 12 Bcf below year-ago levels. Injections were led by the East (+24 Bcf) and Midwest (+20 Bcf), while South Central saw a modest 6 Bcf draw. Analysts expect a slightly smaller 25–30 Bcf build for the week ending August 7.

Weather: The NOAA 6–10 day outlook (valid August 12–16) shows above-normal temperatures favored across the Southeast and much of the West, supporting continued power burn in those regions. However, below-normal temperatures are expected from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, with near-normal conditions across the Central Plains and Mid-Atlantic.

Overall, the pattern points to waning summer cooling demand nationally as the northern tier cools heading into the back half of August — a bearish signal for gas prices consistent with the current soft market tone.

Make Your Choice Gas Selection in Three Easy Steps

Click here to access our online tool, or call our Choice gas commodity experts at 1 (877) 790-4990.

Step 1: Enter your account number

  • Your Black Hills Energy account number is located at the top right-hand corner of your bill.

Step 2: Review price options and make your selection

Step 3: Confirm your selection and enter your control number

  • You received a control number in your 2026 Choice Gas selection packet mailed to you from Black Hills Energy. If you cannot locate this, you can retrieve your control number by calling 877-245-3506 or visit choicegas.com

Once enrolled, you will be removed from supplier marketing communications within 24 hours.

Boy adjusting temperature
Learn more about the Residential Choice Gas Program
Learn More About Residential
 Business owner adjusting temperature
Learn more about the Commercial Choice Gas Program
Learn More About Commercial

Sign Up for Our Energy Newsletters

Sign Up