The Energy Department's Energy Information Administration reported that natural gas in storage grew by 111 billion cubic feet to 2.252 trillion cubic feet for the week ended Mat 31.
Analysts expected a rise of 93 billion to 97 billion cubic feet, according to a survey by Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.
The inventory level was 3 percent below the five-year average of 2.321 trillion cubic feet, and 21.5 percent below last year's level of 2.868 trillion cubic feet, according to the government data.
Natural gas futures fell 13 cents to $3.87 per 1,000 cubic feet in New York. |