The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday edition that Alberta natural gas production fell during the third quarter when prices tanked, but as winter approaches, there are signs of recovery for the hard-hit sector. Postmedia's Chris Varcoe writes that natural gas prices in Alberta slumped during the July-to-September period, averaging only 61 cents per thousand cubic feet. In turn, Western Canadian production averaged 18 billion cubic feet (bcf) per day, down 1.5 bcf per day from highs seen earlier this year, according to a TD Cowen report. Excess gas in inventory and feeble prices in Alberta that dipped into negative territory in September prompted some producers to scale back drilling, shut in output or pay someone to take their gas. However, benchmark AECO natural gas prices in Alberta have recovered from the bottom to about $2 per thousand cubic feet as cooler temperatures signal the return of winter heating season, while the LNG Canada project continues to export more supercooled gas to Asia. "There are a bunch of positives. Right now, there is clearly an optimism that gas prices are going to be rising over the next few months and into next year," said Pine Cliff Energy chief executive officer Phil Hodge.