U.S. natural‑gas futures rose Tuesday as traders braced for the Energy Information Administration’s weekly storage report due 10:30 a.m. ET. The Nymex contract gained 0.7%, trading at $3.167/mm Btu. Analysts in a Wall Street Journal survey expect an 82 Bcf build, but projections range widely, keeping the market jittery.

Tradition Energy’s Gary Cunningham warned that a storage injection in the 70 billion‑cubic‑foot (Bcf) range would sustain bullish positions, while a mid‑high‑80s figure could trigger selling and cover‑buying. He noted that a surplus above the five‑year average is unlikely to offset growing LNG exports and the drag from falling oil prices on associated‑gas output.

Investors will watch the EIA numbers for clues on near‑term price direction. A report confirming the 82 Bcf forecast could cement the current rally, while a higher reading may force short sellers to unwind positions. For now, the market remains tilted toward the upside as export demand outpaces domestic supply constraints.

The price move also narrows the spread between U.S. gas and European benchmarks, tightening arbitrage opportunities for traders. With winter heating demand still months away, the current level sets a reference point for the next inventory cycle and could influence hedge fund positioning ahead of the spring.