British and Dutch wholesale gas prices fell on Feb. 8, pressured by prospects for warmer weather and an increase in wind power.
The British day-ahead contract was down by 3 pence to 138.50 p/therm by 1007 GMT, Refinitiv Eikon data showed.
The Dutch front-month contract eased by 0.65 euros to 53.95 euros per megawatt hour (MWh).
"It is quite crazy how the curve is dropping. The question would be...do we get closer to 50 euros or not? That would be the support level," a European gas trader said.
Despite the warmer weather outlook, he said talk of a cold snap in late February and early March could promote some buying in the market.
Refinitiv meteorologist Georg Muller said that next week will be largely dry and sunny, with above normal temperatures and major changes to this pattern are unlikely until about Feb. 20.
Analysts at Engie's EnergyScan said in a morning note that forecasts of increased wind generation would keep prices under downward pressure on Feb 8.
UK peak wind generation is forecast at 15.02 gigawatts (GW) on Feb. 8 and at 12.8 GW on Feb. 9, Elexon data showed. Higher wind output typically reduces demand for gas from power plants.
Further to Shell's and BP's announcement of record profits for 2022, Norway's Equinor on Feb. 8 posted a record $74.9 billion adjusted operating profit for 2022, more than double its previous high, while French energy major TotalEnergies posted a record net profit of $36.2 billion in 2022, double the previous year.
"This takes the total profit of the four (companies) to almost $180 billion, or $500 million per day!," consultancy Auxilione said in a morning report.
Eastbound gas flows through the Yamal-Europe pipeline to Poland from Germany rose on Feb. 8 morning, as did Russian supplies to Europe via Ukraine.
In the European carbon market, the benchmark contract edged down 0.07 euros to 90.81 euros a tonne.
European Union lawmakers will vote next week on plans to auction carbon permits early to raise cash for countries to quit Russian gas, easing concerns of a delayed vote that some analysts said helped to drive up carbon prices last week.
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