** Shares of U.S. natural gas producers rise, tracking higher gas prices

** U.S. natural gas futures rise 20%, banking on forecasts for more cold weather in January and an increased amount of gas flowing to liquefied natural gas $(LNG)$ export plants

** BKV Corp , Coterra Energy , Expand Energy

and EQT rise between 1.9% and 2.9%

(Reporting by Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru)

((Sourasis.bose@thomsonreuters.com))