Gas Storage Build Falls Short, Thinning Winter Buffer

U.S. gas inventories rose just 15 Bcf to 3,184 Bcf in the week ending August 21, per the EIA. Late-August injections normally run larger as operators refill before the November 1 heating-season drawdown. Sustained heat is diverting gas to power plants. Henry Hub futures settled at 2.881. If injections keep lagging, winter prices face upward pressure.