The gas system is balanced this morning, according to npower’s daily market report.

Sara Astley from the optimisation desk said: “Demand has reduced and is forecast to be in line with seasonal levels today.”

Langeled flows are at 10mcm due to maintenance works, which are expected to finish at the end of the month.

South Hook flows are at 29mcm.

The power system is also balanced with a peak margin of 14GW.

Wind generation is below 4GW and “is expected to increase slightly through the day”, added Ms Astley.

Oil is trading below $64/bbl.

Ms Astley said: “The American Petroleum Institute (API) data released last night, which often gives an indication of the official data due this afternoon, showed a stock draw of nearly three million barrels.

“Tropical Storm Bill has hit Texas however it started to weaken and it has not impacted operations off the Gulf of Mexico.”