Mubasher: Natural gas inventories in the US fell last week by around 69 billion cubic feet (bcf) to 3,626 bcf by 8 December 2017, exceeding analysts’ forecasts, a report by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed on Thursday.

Analysts had expected that US natural gas stockpiles would decline by 55 bcf in the week ended 8 December.

Year-on-year, US natural gas inventories fell by 201 bcf, which is less than the five-year average of 3,653 bcf.

By 16:25 GMT, natural gas futures retreated 1.8% to $2.67 British thermal units.