Natural gas prices expected to rise over next two years

The average natural gas spot price at the benchmark Henry Hub for December 2015 of $1.93 per MMBtu was the lowest monthly average since March 1999. EIA's latest "Short-Term Energy Outlook" expects natural gas prices to rise, averaging $2.65/MMBtu in 2016 and $3.22/MMBtu in 2017. Expected price increases reflect consumption growth, mainly from the industrial sector, that outpaces near-term production growth. More »