US energy firms withdrew 166 billion cubic feet of natural gas from domestic storages for a total stock of 3,413 bcf during the week that ended December 19th, loosely aligned with market expectations. It was the sixth week into the withdrawing season for US natural gas storages, consistent with the timing from the previous year, as colder weather increases demand for gas intensive heating across the country. With the drop, natural gas storage was 3.6% below the corresponding period of the previous year, swinging to 0.7% below the current five-year average.