Marcellus shale producer Antero Resources reported today that its realized natural gas liquids (NGL) price premiums to Mont Belvieu, Texas, fell in the fourth quarter by half from a year earlier.
The company's realized NGL prices fell to a $1.52/bl premium to Mont Belvieu in October-December, down from a $3.09/bl premium in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Before hedging, Antero received $35.41/bl on its propane-plus NGL production in the fourth quarter and $12.54/bl on its ethane production, which equated to a $1.38/bl premium to Mont Belvieu for the lighter feedstock.
The narrower margins on its NGL production come as propane prices at Mont Belvieu averaged 65.90¢/USG ($27.68/bl) in the fourth quarter, down from 76.26¢/USG a year earlier.
Antero expects to produce on average 213,000 b/d of NGLs in 2026, comprising 80,000 b/d of ethane and 125,000 b/d of propane and heavier liquids. Its full-year guidance is for realized propane-plus prices at $0.50/bl above or below Mont Belvieu. Antero expects to receive on average a $1-2/bl premium to Mont Belvieu for its ethane production in 2026.
Antero reported propane-plus NGL production of 116,065 b/d in the fourth quarter, up from 114,815 b/d a year earlier. Ethane production averaged 83,348 b/d, down from 92,587 b/d in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The Denver, Colorado-based company reported a profit of $193.7mn, up 29pc from $149.6mn in the fourth quarter of 2024.

