Natural gas inventories in the United States increased by 36 billion cubic feet for the week ending July 23, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Thursday.
The increase came below market expectations of a 40 bcf rise.
Total natural gas stockpiles reached 2.714 trillion cubic feet, down by 523 billion cubic feet compared with the same time last year.
The inventory level is below the five-year average by 168 billion cubic feet.