Mubasher: Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Thursday that the US natural gas inventories dropped by 78 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in the week ended 8 February, to a total of 1,882 Bcf.

Stockpiles were 30 Bcf less than last year’s figure, while they were 333 Bcf below the five-year average of 2,215 Bcf, according to the EIA data.

Following the release of the data, Nymex natural gas futures climbed 0.54% to $2.59 per million British thermal units (MMBtu).