Skip, I was referring to the Henry Hub and the Hub Spot. They are usually within pennies of one another. What I belatedly thought of is that this month's pricing is closed and the higher HH number reflects the Nov. numbers.
David. I think that the Henry Hub Future and the Henry Hub Spot regularly exhibit significant divergence. Particularly from a summer "spot" to a fall "future". I don't check on the future price that often so you might wish to ask Les or The Baron. I just didn't notice any significance in the "percentage change".
this is due to the present contango spread in future markets. The spread is high as compared to history. Sad that royalty owners will receive payment based on the spot price at the delivery point in this area being the Henry Hub price ~ 3.53per mcf ( most contracts are based on the HH) not the Nov Nymex future price. If spot price doesnot increase 20% next 3-4 weeks the Nov future will slowly drop to the spot Henry Hub price by 4th Monday in Oct.09 So when everyone talks about NG prices they are usually talking about the Henry Hub price that is what O&G operators sell their gas at that price or variable they negoitated base on that price. If large companies like CHK hedge their gas in the future market they take the gain or loss and not the royalty owners since we are paid based on that months avg per contract operator negoitated to receive
Spot is todays price.
Future is the price at a later date. It is normal for prices to rise into the future as winter (demand months) approach. Somtime mid-Nov we will stop injecting and start withdrawing, prices will rise as supply drops (hopefully).
Notice today that the NYMEX futurs on TV is over $4, we have stope3d trading october gas, and are now trading Nov futures, this is the price you now see on TV. IT really has no impact at the wellhead untill the end of the month when the Nov, price is set, the "strike date"
Royalty owners are paid on the price at the wellhead, usually less than Henry Hub.
Futures are just that, traders are betting on what the price will be. The price is set at the end of the month for the following month. Expect prices to drop as the month goes on esp after todays storage report.