Trading in natural gas futures exploded Thursday just about seven seconds before the government was set to release its weekly market-moving natural gas storage report.
According to data provided to CNBC by Eric Hunsader of analysis firm Nanex, $17 million worth of futures contracts changed hands in the moments leading up to the report's release, sending prices higher.
The report, released every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, details how much natural gas the government holds at that time. Markets typically react instantly to the information. This week, the report showed an increase of the commodity in storage, in line with expectations.
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