The anticipated build significantly outpaces the five-year average injection of 61 Bcf for this time of year. If the consensus estimate holds, the storage surplus relative to the 2021-2025 average will climb to 58 Bcf, up from 38 Bcf the previous week. Despite this growth, total stocks remain 105 Bcf lower than levels recorded at this point last year.

Individual forecasts from the panel of 12 brokers, analysts, and traders vary between 73 Bcf and 96 Bcf. The U.S. Energy Information Administration will publish the definitive inventory figures on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. ET.