May 22, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Marketing Update: Recent market activity has centered around the latest storage data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a 101 Bcf injection into natural gas storage for the week ending May 15. The build exceeded market expectations of 95 Bcf and marked the largest injection since mid-April.

June 2026 NYMEX closed Thursday at $3.018

·       High for the day $3.066

·       Low for the day $2.988

Early trading for the prompt month is trading at $3.140

·       https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.html

·      https://www.fxempire.com/commodities/natural-gas

Following the report, NYMEX June natural gas futures briefly fell below $3.00/MMBtu before rebounding later in the trading session to around $3.05/MMBtu. The larger-than-expected storage build was viewed as bearish for prices, especially as inventories continue to trend above historical averages.

Total US natural gas storage now stands at 2.391 Tcf, approximately 149 Bcf, or 6.7%, above the five-year average. However, the surplus compared to last year has narrowed to just 33 Bcf, signaling that storage levels remain relatively balanced versus 2025.

Weather forecasts are also contributing to market pressure, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the eastern US during the first half of June. Analysts note that the lack of early summer heat could support another round of strong storage injections in the coming weeks, potentially pushing storage surpluses higher.

Looking ahead, market expectations for next week’s EIA storage report call for another sizable injection near 95 Bcf, roughly in line with seasonal norms.

EIA Storage Report: According to the EIA, working natural gas in storage totaled 2,391 Bcf as of May 15, 2026, reflecting a 101 Bcf increase from the prior week. Storage levels were 33 Bcf higher than the same time last year and 149 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,242 Bcf. Overall inventories remain within the historical five-year range.

Weather: NOAA’s June outlook continues to point toward developing El Niño conditions this summer, with warming Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to strengthen through the summer and fall. Current forecasts show a greater than 70% chance of El Niño developing during the May-June-July period.

The June outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the western and southern US, including the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The highest confidence for warmer weather remains in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, parts of the north-central and northeastern US are expected to see more variable conditions.

NOAA also expects wetter-than-normal conditions across portions of the Southwest, Rockies, southern Plains, and Southeast, while drier-than-normal weather is forecast for much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In addition, NOAA recently released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook, calling for a below-normal season due largely to the anticipated development of El Niño, which tends to suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic. Forecasts currently call for 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes.

Despite the quieter forecast, hurricane activity will remain an important factor for the natural gas market, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where storms can disrupt production and LNG operations.

Market Data:

May 22, 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

May 22, 2026

Marketing Update: Recent market activity has centered around the latest storage data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a 101 Bcf injection into natural gas storage for the week ending May 15. The build exceeded market expectations of 95 Bcf and marked the largest injection since mid-April.

June 2026 NYMEX closed Thursday at $3.018

·       High for the day $3.066

·       Low for the day $2.988

Early trading for the prompt month is trading at $3.140

·       https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.html

·      https://www.fxempire.com/commodities/natural-gas

Following the report, NYMEX June natural gas futures briefly fell below $3.00/MMBtu before rebounding later in the trading session to around $3.05/MMBtu. The larger-than-expected storage build was viewed as bearish for prices, especially as inventories continue to trend above historical averages.

Total US natural gas storage now stands at 2.391 Tcf, approximately 149 Bcf, or 6.7%, above the five-year average. However, the surplus compared to last year has narrowed to just 33 Bcf, signaling that storage levels remain relatively balanced versus 2025.

Weather forecasts are also contributing to market pressure, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the eastern US during the first half of June. Analysts note that the lack of early summer heat could support another round of strong storage injections in the coming weeks, potentially pushing storage surpluses higher.

Looking ahead, market expectations for next week’s EIA storage report call for another sizable injection near 95 Bcf, roughly in line with seasonal norms.

EIA Storage Report: According to the EIA, working natural gas in storage totaled 2,391 Bcf as of May 15, 2026, reflecting a 101 Bcf increase from the prior week. Storage levels were 33 Bcf higher than the same time last year and 149 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,242 Bcf. Overall inventories remain within the historical five-year range.

Weather: NOAA’s June outlook continues to point toward developing El Niño conditions this summer, with warming Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to strengthen through the summer and fall. Current forecasts show a greater than 70% chance of El Niño developing during the May-June-July period.

The June outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the western and southern US, including the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The highest confidence for warmer weather remains in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, parts of the north-central and northeastern US are expected to see more variable conditions.

NOAA also expects wetter-than-normal conditions across portions of the Southwest, Rockies, southern Plains, and Southeast, while drier-than-normal weather is forecast for much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In addition, NOAA recently released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook, calling for a below-normal season due largely to the anticipated development of El Niño, which tends to suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic. Forecasts currently call for 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes.

Despite the quieter forecast, hurricane activity will remain an important factor for the natural gas market, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where storms can disrupt production and LNG operations.

Market Data:

May 22, 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)

May 22, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Marketing Update: Recent market activity has centered around the latest storage data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a 101 Bcf injection into natural gas storage for the week ending May 15. The build exceeded market expectations of 95 Bcf and marked the largest injection since mid-April.

June 2026 NYMEX closed Thursday at $3.018

·       High for the day $3.066

·       Low for the day $2.988

Early trading for the prompt month is trading at $3.140

·       https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.html

·      https://www.fxempire.com/commodities/natural-gas

Following the report, NYMEX June natural gas futures briefly fell below $3.00/MMBtu before rebounding later in the trading session to around $3.05/MMBtu. The larger-than-expected storage build was viewed as bearish for prices, especially as inventories continue to trend above historical averages.

Total US natural gas storage now stands at 2.391 Tcf, approximately 149 Bcf, or 6.7%, above the five-year average. However, the surplus compared to last year has narrowed to just 33 Bcf, signaling that storage levels remain relatively balanced versus 2025.

Weather forecasts are also contributing to market pressure, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the eastern US during the first half of June. Analysts note that the lack of early summer heat could support another round of strong storage injections in the coming weeks, potentially pushing storage surpluses higher.

Looking ahead, market expectations for next week’s EIA storage report call for another sizable injection near 95 Bcf, roughly in line with seasonal norms.

EIA Storage Report: According to the EIA, working natural gas in storage totaled 2,391 Bcf as of May 15, 2026, reflecting a 101 Bcf increase from the prior week. Storage levels were 33 Bcf higher than the same time last year and 149 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,242 Bcf. Overall inventories remain within the historical five-year range.

Weather: NOAA’s June outlook continues to point toward developing El Niño conditions this summer, with warming Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to strengthen through the summer and fall. Current forecasts show a greater than 70% chance of El Niño developing during the May-June-July period.

The June outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the western and southern US, including the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The highest confidence for warmer weather remains in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, parts of the north-central and northeastern US are expected to see more variable conditions.

NOAA also expects wetter-than-normal conditions across portions of the Southwest, Rockies, southern Plains, and Southeast, while drier-than-normal weather is forecast for much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In addition, NOAA recently released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook, calling for a below-normal season due largely to the anticipated development of El Niño, which tends to suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic. Forecasts currently call for 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes.

Despite the quieter forecast, hurricane activity will remain an important factor for the natural gas market, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where storms can disrupt production and LNG operations.

May 22, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Marketing Update: Recent market activity has centered around the latest storage data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a 101 Bcf injection into natural gas storage for the week ending May 15. The build exceeded market expectations of 95 Bcf and marked the largest injection since mid-April.

June 2026 NYMEX closed Thursday at $3.018

·       High for the day $3.066

·       Low for the day $2.988

Early trading for the prompt month is trading at $3.140

·       https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.html

·      https://www.fxempire.com/commodities/natural-gas

Following the report, NYMEX June natural gas futures briefly fell below $3.00/MMBtu before rebounding later in the trading session to around $3.05/MMBtu. The larger-than-expected storage build was viewed as bearish for prices, especially as inventories continue to trend above historical averages.

Total US natural gas storage now stands at 2.391 Tcf, approximately 149 Bcf, or 6.7%, above the five-year average. However, the surplus compared to last year has narrowed to just 33 Bcf, signaling that storage levels remain relatively balanced versus 2025.

Weather forecasts are also contributing to market pressure, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the eastern US during the first half of June. Analysts note that the lack of early summer heat could support another round of strong storage injections in the coming weeks, potentially pushing storage surpluses higher.

Looking ahead, market expectations for next week’s EIA storage report call for another sizable injection near 95 Bcf, roughly in line with seasonal norms.

EIA Storage Report: According to the EIA, working natural gas in storage totaled 2,391 Bcf as of May 15, 2026, reflecting a 101 Bcf increase from the prior week. Storage levels were 33 Bcf higher than the same time last year and 149 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,242 Bcf. Overall inventories remain within the historical five-year range.

Weather: NOAA’s June outlook continues to point toward developing El Niño conditions this summer, with warming Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to strengthen through the summer and fall. Current forecasts show a greater than 70% chance of El Niño developing during the May-June-July period.

The June outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the western and southern US, including the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The highest confidence for warmer weather remains in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, parts of the north-central and northeastern US are expected to see more variable conditions.

NOAA also expects wetter-than-normal conditions across portions of the Southwest, Rockies, southern Plains, and Southeast, while drier-than-normal weather is forecast for much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In addition, NOAA recently released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook, calling for a below-normal season due largely to the anticipated development of El Niño, which tends to suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic. Forecasts currently call for 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes.

Despite the quieter forecast, hurricane activity will remain an important factor for the natural gas market, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where storms can disrupt production and LNG operations.

May 22, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Marketing Update: Recent market activity has centered around the latest storage data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a 101 Bcf injection into natural gas storage for the week ending May 15. The build exceeded market expectations of 95 Bcf and marked the largest injection since mid-April.

June 2026 NYMEX closed Thursday at $3.018

·       High for the day $3.066

·       Low for the day $2.988

Early trading for the prompt month is trading at $3.140

·       https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.html

·      https://www.fxempire.com/commodities/natural-gas

Following the report, NYMEX June natural gas futures briefly fell below $3.00/MMBtu before rebounding later in the trading session to around $3.05/MMBtu. The larger-than-expected storage build was viewed as bearish for prices, especially as inventories continue to trend above historical averages.

Total US natural gas storage now stands at 2.391 Tcf, approximately 149 Bcf, or 6.7%, above the five-year average. However, the surplus compared to last year has narrowed to just 33 Bcf, signaling that storage levels remain relatively balanced versus 2025.

Weather forecasts are also contributing to market pressure, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the eastern US during the first half of June. Analysts note that the lack of early summer heat could support another round of strong storage injections in the coming weeks, potentially pushing storage surpluses higher.

Looking ahead, market expectations for next week’s EIA storage report call for another sizable injection near 95 Bcf, roughly in line with seasonal norms.

EIA Storage Report: According to the EIA, working natural gas in storage totaled 2,391 Bcf as of May 15, 2026, reflecting a 101 Bcf increase from the prior week. Storage levels were 33 Bcf higher than the same time last year and 149 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,242 Bcf. Overall inventories remain within the historical five-year range.

Weather: NOAA’s June outlook continues to point toward developing El Niño conditions this summer, with warming Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to strengthen through the summer and fall. Current forecasts show a greater than 70% chance of El Niño developing during the May-June-July period.

The June outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the western and southern US, including the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The highest confidence for warmer weather remains in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, parts of the north-central and northeastern US are expected to see more variable conditions.

NOAA also expects wetter-than-normal conditions across portions of the Southwest, Rockies, southern Plains, and Southeast, while drier-than-normal weather is forecast for much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In addition, NOAA recently released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook, calling for a below-normal season due largely to the anticipated development of El Niño, which tends to suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic. Forecasts currently call for 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes.

Despite the quieter forecast, hurricane activity will remain an important factor for the natural gas market, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where storms can disrupt production and LNG operations.

May 22, 2026

Marketing Update: Recent market activity has centered around the latest storage data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a 101 Bcf injection into natural gas storage for the week ending May 15. The build exceeded market expectations of 95 Bcf and marked the largest injection since mid-April.

June 2026 NYMEX closed Thursday at $3.018

·       High for the day $3.066

·       Low for the day $2.988

Early trading for the prompt month is trading at $3.140

·       https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.html

·      https://www.fxempire.com/commodities/natural-gas

Following the report, NYMEX June natural gas futures briefly fell below $3.00/MMBtu before rebounding later in the trading session to around $3.05/MMBtu. The larger-than-expected storage build was viewed as bearish for prices, especially as inventories continue to trend above historical averages.

Total US natural gas storage now stands at 2.391 Tcf, approximately 149 Bcf, or 6.7%, above the five-year average. However, the surplus compared to last year has narrowed to just 33 Bcf, signaling that storage levels remain relatively balanced versus 2025.

Weather forecasts are also contributing to market pressure, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the eastern US during the first half of June. Analysts note that the lack of early summer heat could support another round of strong storage injections in the coming weeks, potentially pushing storage surpluses higher.

Looking ahead, market expectations for next week’s EIA storage report call for another sizable injection near 95 Bcf, roughly in line with seasonal norms.

EIA Storage Report: According to the EIA, working natural gas in storage totaled 2,391 Bcf as of May 15, 2026, reflecting a 101 Bcf increase from the prior week. Storage levels were 33 Bcf higher than the same time last year and 149 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,242 Bcf. Overall inventories remain within the historical five-year range.

Weather: NOAA’s June outlook continues to point toward developing El Niño conditions this summer, with warming Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to strengthen through the summer and fall. Current forecasts show a greater than 70% chance of El Niño developing during the May-June-July period.

The June outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the western and southern US, including the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The highest confidence for warmer weather remains in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, parts of the north-central and northeastern US are expected to see more variable conditions.

NOAA also expects wetter-than-normal conditions across portions of the Southwest, Rockies, southern Plains, and Southeast, while drier-than-normal weather is forecast for much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In addition, NOAA recently released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook, calling for a below-normal season due largely to the anticipated development of El Niño, which tends to suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic. Forecasts currently call for 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes.

Despite the quieter forecast, hurricane activity will remain an important factor for the natural gas market, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where storms can disrupt production and LNG operations.

May 22, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Marketing Update: Recent market activity has centered around the latest storage data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a 101 Bcf injection into natural gas storage for the week ending May 15. The build exceeded market expectations of 95 Bcf and marked the largest injection since mid-April.

June 2026 NYMEX closed Thursday at $3.018

·       High for the day $3.066

·       Low for the day $2.988

Early trading for the prompt month is trading at $3.140

·       https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.html

·      https://www.fxempire.com/commodities/natural-gas

Following the report, NYMEX June natural gas futures briefly fell below $3.00/MMBtu before rebounding later in the trading session to around $3.05/MMBtu. The larger-than-expected storage build was viewed as bearish for prices, especially as inventories continue to trend above historical averages.

Total US natural gas storage now stands at 2.391 Tcf, approximately 149 Bcf, or 6.7%, above the five-year average. However, the surplus compared to last year has narrowed to just 33 Bcf, signaling that storage levels remain relatively balanced versus 2025.

Weather forecasts are also contributing to market pressure, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the eastern US during the first half of June. Analysts note that the lack of early summer heat could support another round of strong storage injections in the coming weeks, potentially pushing storage surpluses higher.

Looking ahead, market expectations for next week’s EIA storage report call for another sizable injection near 95 Bcf, roughly in line with seasonal norms.

EIA Storage Report: According to the EIA, working natural gas in storage totaled 2,391 Bcf as of May 15, 2026, reflecting a 101 Bcf increase from the prior week. Storage levels were 33 Bcf higher than the same time last year and 149 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,242 Bcf. Overall inventories remain within the historical five-year range.

Weather: NOAA’s June outlook continues to point toward developing El Niño conditions this summer, with warming Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to strengthen through the summer and fall. Current forecasts show a greater than 70% chance of El Niño developing during the May-June-July period.

The June outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the western and southern US, including the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The highest confidence for warmer weather remains in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, parts of the north-central and northeastern US are expected to see more variable conditions.

NOAA also expects wetter-than-normal conditions across portions of the Southwest, Rockies, southern Plains, and Southeast, while drier-than-normal weather is forecast for much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In addition, NOAA recently released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook, calling for a below-normal season due largely to the anticipated development of El Niño, which tends to suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic. Forecasts currently call for 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes.

Despite the quieter forecast, hurricane activity will remain an important factor for the natural gas market, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where storms can disrupt production and LNG operations.

May 22, 2026

Weekly Energy News

Marketing Update: Recent market activity has centered around the latest storage data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which reported a 101 Bcf injection into natural gas storage for the week ending May 15. The build exceeded market expectations of 95 Bcf and marked the largest injection since mid-April.

June 2026 NYMEX closed Thursday at $3.018

·       High for the day $3.066

·       Low for the day $2.988

Early trading for the prompt month is trading at $3.140

·       https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/energy/natural-gas/natural-gas.html

·      https://www.fxempire.com/commodities/natural-gas

Following the report, NYMEX June natural gas futures briefly fell below $3.00/MMBtu before rebounding later in the trading session to around $3.05/MMBtu. The larger-than-expected storage build was viewed as bearish for prices, especially as inventories continue to trend above historical averages.

Total US natural gas storage now stands at 2.391 Tcf, approximately 149 Bcf, or 6.7%, above the five-year average. However, the surplus compared to last year has narrowed to just 33 Bcf, signaling that storage levels remain relatively balanced versus 2025.

Weather forecasts are also contributing to market pressure, with cooler-than-normal temperatures expected across much of the eastern US during the first half of June. Analysts note that the lack of early summer heat could support another round of strong storage injections in the coming weeks, potentially pushing storage surpluses higher.

Looking ahead, market expectations for next week’s EIA storage report call for another sizable injection near 95 Bcf, roughly in line with seasonal norms.

EIA Storage Report: According to the EIA, working natural gas in storage totaled 2,391 Bcf as of May 15, 2026, reflecting a 101 Bcf increase from the prior week. Storage levels were 33 Bcf higher than the same time last year and 149 Bcf above the five-year average of 2,242 Bcf. Overall inventories remain within the historical five-year range.

Weather: NOAA’s June outlook continues to point toward developing El Niño conditions this summer, with warming Pacific Ocean temperatures expected to strengthen through the summer and fall. Current forecasts show a greater than 70% chance of El Niño developing during the May-June-July period.

The June outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of the western and southern US, including the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The highest confidence for warmer weather remains in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, parts of the north-central and northeastern US are expected to see more variable conditions.

NOAA also expects wetter-than-normal conditions across portions of the Southwest, Rockies, southern Plains, and Southeast, while drier-than-normal weather is forecast for much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In addition, NOAA recently released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook, calling for a below-normal season due largely to the anticipated development of El Niño, which tends to suppress tropical activity in the Atlantic. Forecasts currently call for 8 to 14 named storms, including 3 to 6 hurricanes.

Despite the quieter forecast, hurricane activity will remain an important factor for the natural gas market, particularly along the Gulf Coast, where storms can disrupt production and LNG operations.

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
WoodRiver Energy focuses on providing cost-effective energy solutions that help commercial, industrial, and agriculture customers manage their energy usage, provide budget protection, and control energy costs.
©2026 WoodRiver Energy, LLC.