POLL-US natgas prices seen spiking 25 pct in 2008

NEW YORK, April 10 (Reuters) - A cold winter in the United
States this year and sagging imports of liquefied natural gas
have prompted industry analysts to predict near record high gas
prices in 2008, according to a Reuters poll released on
Thursday.

"It was a cold winter, oil prices have been high and LNG
imports have been low. Put it all together, and it's had an
impact (on prices)," said Stephen Smith of Stephen Smith Energy
Associates, a Mississippi-based consulting firm.

The Reuters poll of 25 industry experts showed estimates
for spot prices in 2008 at Henry Hub, the benchmark U.S. supply
point in Louisiana, averaged $8.69 per mmBtu, a 25 percent gain
from a $6.95 average last year and just below the all-time
yearly average high of $8.81 set in 2005.

Price expectations this quarter for 2008 were much higher
than those received last quarter, when analysts estimated a
$7.30 average.
(Reporting by Joe Silha; Editing by Marguerita Choy)