Bearish fundamentals continue to weigh on the front of the curve – with market participants poised to react to changes in weather forecasts or potential gas supply disruptions. The historically high European (and UK) gas storages (see chart) continue to mitigate against supply risk/volatility as we approach the colder months of Q1. Prices are trading in tight ranges across all periods of delivery. It would be fair to say that we’re in a state of balance/equilibrium, with neither bulls nor bears enjoying the lion’s share of momentum! Whilst UK gas prices are marginally up this morning on a slightly short system (demand outstripping supply), LNG arrivals are consistently degasifying at European/UK ports, with the UK expecting another eight vessels before month end and LNG on European waters (waiting for available terminals) having increased around 6% over the last week. The ongoing conflict notwithstanding, Chevron has resumed production at its Tamar gas field In Israel. Bulls momentarily reacted yesterday on news that gas flows to the Freeport LNG terminal (in Texas) are expected to halt today due to “a trip of the Liquefaction Train 3” following a fault with the train’s drive. Though upwards momentum was short-lived as news of improved flows from Norway lifted spirits (currently comfortably above its 5-day moving average). Monthly Day-Ahead averages are on track to achieve 101p/therm (or 3.44p/kwh) for November. Near and far-term delivery prices are down on the week, month, 3-months ago, 6-months ago. To put it another way, it’s certainly bucking the trend to have lower year-ahead prices in November than was the case in April! A reflection surely of the realisation amongst market participants that the Ukraine and Gazan conflicts are increasingly unlikely to impact on European supply security as we approach the business-end of Winter ’23 conditioning…