Oct 31 (Reuters) - U.S. oil and gas producer Coterra

Energy ( CTRA ) posted lower third-quarter profit on Thursday,

hurt by weak prices of natural gas.

The Houston-based company reported net income of $252

million, or 34 cents per share, for the three months ended Sept

30, compared with $323 million, or 43 cents per share, in the

year-ago quarter.