How to Invest in Natural Gas (Updated 2023)

What is the outlook for natural gas?

As mentioned, volatility in natural gas demand often leads to big spikes and declines in natural gas prices.

For example, at the end of 2017, analysts thought a decrease in natural gas production could reduce inventories and drive up demand; other experts expected prices to remain low over the next few years. 2020 seemed to prove the latter camp correct — natural gas prices stayed at historic lows, with COVID-19 wreaking havoc on energy commodities across the board.

However, 2021 set the bull market running, and 2022 only brought higher and higher prices for natural gas.

"The outlook for gas markets remains clouded, not least because of Russia’s reckless and unpredictable conduct, which has shattered its reputation as a reliable supplier. But all the signs point to markets remaining very tight well into 2023," notes the International Energy Association in its Q4 2022 gas market report.

Record-high gas prices have had the most impact in Europe and Asia amid lower-than-average inventory levels. However, the International Energy Association sees global gas demand growing by just 0.4 percent in 2023. Even so, that forecast comes with uncertainty, "particularly in terms of Russia’s future actions and the economic impacts of sustained high energy prices."

Of course, any number of other factors could also cause the natural gas sector's outlook to change. A key part of the picture that investors will want to be aware of is US President Joe Biden's pledge to make cutting methane emissions a central part of his agenda, as evidenced by the strengthened standards he proposed in November 2022 on the nation's many oil and gas wells, including plugging methane gas leaks at oil and gas wells in the US.

It's also important to keep an eye on issues related to hydraulic fracturing. The process, commonly known as fracking, is used to extract shale gas deposits from the ground. It has come under fire in recent years for its environmental impact.

All of that uncertainty may be daunting, but investors interested in the potential for natural gas investments should not necessarily be discouraged — after all, while prices for the fuel can reach incredible lows, they can also climb to incredible highs, which no doubt affects companies in the sector.

How can investors get exposure to natural gas?

Those who decide to invest in natural gas have plenty of ways to gain exposure to the fuel. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are one possibility, as is buying a futures contract or investing in natural gas stocks on an exchange.

According to ETF Database, there are five natural gas ETFs, including the United States Natural Gas Fund (ARCA:UNG) and the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas ETF (ARCA:BOIL). While those ETFs focus specifically on natural gas, it's worth noting that others offer exposure to both the oil and gas markets simultaneously.

Investors considering investing in natural gas futures should be aware that these contracts are very liquid and extremely active throughout the week. Trading in natural gas futures is generally heaviest on Thursdays, when the US Department of Energy releases its weekly natural gas storage report. Some of the top natural gas futures contracts include Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures, E-mini Natural Gas Futures and Delivered Natural Gas Futures.

Lastly, investors can opt to invest in gas companies involved in the natural gas market.

As with ETFs, many companies that are exploring for or producing natural gas are also focused on oil, and it can be difficult to find stocks that are aimed purely at natural gas. That said, some large companies that are heavily involved in natural gas are Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU,TSX:SU) and Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN).

If you're interested in other stocks, check out our list of the top oil and gas stocks on the TSX and TSXV here, and the ASX here.