Stubbornly high supply and underwhelming demand from the LNG and power sectors exerted bearish pressure on the natural gas market to start the week. “Inventories remain comfortably above the five-year average, but stronger power demand is beginning to test the market during the heart of summer,” said Pinebrook Energy Advisors Managing Partner Andy Huenefeld. Hot weather alone has proven insufficient to whittle natural gas storage surpluses this summer. The US natural gas rig count finished flat week/week at 126 on Friday, but the oil-directed rig tally gained seven units to reach 452. Canada’s natural gas rig count also climbed to 59 from 57, while oil rigs soared to 136 from 118.