Analysts expect DOE to announce draw in natural gas storage inventories

Ahead of the Bell: Drop in gas reserves expected

NEW YORK — The Energy Department on Thursday is expected to report a draw of 223 billion to 227 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage inventories for the week ended Jan. 15, according to a survey of analysts by Plates, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.

The Energy Information Administration — the statistical agency of the Department of Energy — releases its weekly report at 10:30 a.m. EST.

Last Thursday, the EIA said for the week ended Jan. 8 natural gas inventories held in underground storage in the lower 48 states dropped by 266 billion cubic feet to about 2.85 trillion cubic feet. Analysts had expected a draw of between 253 billion and 258 billion cubic feet.