U.S. natural gas futures fell 3.0% intraday to $3.141 per MMBtu

U.S. natural gas futures fell 3.0% intraday to $3.141 per MMBtu on June 17, 2026, amid mixed supply and demand dynamics. Prices had previously climbed to $3.25 per MMBtu earlier in the day, reflecting expectations of stronger cooling demand due to above-normal temperatures through July 1 and a rebound in liquefied natural gas (LNG) export activity. Flows to LNG export terminals rose 13.2% week-on-week, reaching a six-week high of 19.3 billion cubic feet per day. However, seasonal maintenance at major export facilities, including ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy’s Golden Pass and Freeport LNG in Texas, has limited export volumes, with average deliveries falling to 17.0 bcfd in June.

Meanwhile, U.S. natural gas inventories remain elevated, standing at 2.686 trillion cubic feet as of June 5, 6% above the five-year seasonal average. This has contributed to downward pressure on prices. Over the past month, natural gas prices have risen 7.42%, but they remain 18.57% below the level from a year ago. Analysts expect the price to trade at $3.16 per MMBtu by the end of the quarter and $4.03 per MMBtu in 12 months.