U.S. natural gas futures opened the week lower, trading at $2.871 per mmBtu. Warmer-than-normal weather through September provided some price support, but cooling demand is expected to decline as temperatures normalize. Andy Huenefeld of Pinebrook Energy Advisors noted that extreme anomalies would be needed to drive significant energy demand as the season progresses.

The market remains sensitive to near-term heat patterns affecting cooling needs.