Average spot natural gas prices in key regional markets, which reflect the wholesale price of natural gas at major trading points, declined about 38% to 49% during the first half (January 1 to June 30) of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Rising production, record end-of-winter storage inventories, and mild weather contributed to spot natural gas prices nearing their lowest levels in a decade until prices rebounded at most trading points to the high $2/MMBtu range by the end of June.