Operators injected 32 Bcf of natural gas into storage for the week ended July 17, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Thursday. Prior to the result crossing traders’ screens, The Desk’s poll found analysts on average expecting a 35 Bcf injection. That put stocks just below the year-earlier level of 3,072 Bcf but well above the five-year average of 2,873 Bcf. The Midwest and East led all regions with respective builds of 17 Bcf for the July 17 period, according to EIA. The South Central build of 2 Bcf included a 9 Bcf injection into nonsalt facilities and a draw of 7 Bcf from salts.