US loses capacity to surprise
The fourth quarter's dramatic price rise and fall is not expected to be repeated
The US benchmark Henry Hub front-month contract saw unprecedented volatility in the fourth quarter of 2018. But a combination of milder-than-average weather since November, and the prospect of production increases and infrastructure delivery in 2019, lead analysts to predict a much calmer 2019. In fact, the main risk to prices-as-usual is seen on the downside for the summer, dependent on temperatures and hence storage withdrawals for the remainder of Q1. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Nymex Henry Hub front-month futures contract had been trading in a $2.65-3.30/mn Btu range from mid-April until early November, shooting higher to a peak of over $4.70/mn Btu on 28 November. The fall in
Also in this section
14 January 2026
Chavez’s socialist reforms boosted state control but pushed knowledge and capital out of the sector, opening the way for the US shale revolution
14 January 2026
Leading economies in the region are using oil and gas revenues to fund mineral strategies and power hyperscale computing
14 January 2026
The South American country offers stable, transparent and high-potential opportunities and is now ready for fresh exploration and partnership
13 January 2026
Across Europe, countries have grappled with balancing ambitious energy transition plans with realities about security of supply
