Natural gas in underground storage across the Lower 48 was 1.343 tcf for the week ended Apr. 27, up 62 bcf from the previous week, the US Energy Information Administration estimated.
Storage was 903 bcf less than for the same week last year and 534 bcf below the 5-year average of 1.877 tcf. EIA said the current storage level puts total working gas within the 5-year historical range.
While forecasts called for a gain, the rise is more than was expected.
Demand for natural gas in the US is weakest in the spring as temperatures are less likely to require heating or air conditioning.
