All --
The following article from Daily Gas News (http://www.naturalgas.com) is a good explanation of why natural gas prices will be increasing soon:
<< US Oil, Gas Rig Count Hits New Low
HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States dropped by five this week to an all-time low of 498, the first time it's sunk below 500.
Of those that were operating nationwide, 122 were exploring for oil and 376 for gas, Houston-based Baker Hughes reported Friday. During the same week last year, 889 rigs were operating in the United States.
Alaska saw one rig idled in the past week, leaving four still at work in the state.
Baker Hughes has kept a rig count since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 on Dec. 28, 1981, during the height of the oil boom, but has set record lows in eight of the last 12 weeks.
Drilling activity has dropped off due to the steep decline in oil and gas prices last year.
Baker Hughes says there probably are fewer domestic rigs looking for oil and gas now than at any time since industry's emerging days of the early 1900s.
Of the other major oil- and gas-producing states, New Mexico and Oklahoma gained three rigs each from last week and California gained one.
Louisiana lost four rigs and Texas lost one, while Wyoming's total remained unchanged.>>
With gas use going UP and rig numbers going DOWN, that's the classic case for increasing prices (just look at gasoline the past few weeks!).
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