Feb 26 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas producer Expand

Energy ( EXE ) surpassed fourth-quarter profit estimates on

Wednesday following a slight rebound in gas prices and higher

production.

Natural gas prices rose in the quarter, hitting a two-year

peak, helped by an increase in the amount of gas flowing to

liquefied natural gas export plants. The prices were further

bolstered by forecasts of continuing cold weather in January,

which increased heating demand.

The Oklahoma City-based company, which acquired Southwestern

for $7.4 billion to become the top U.S. independent natural gas

producer, reported fourth-quarter production of 6.41 billion

cubic feet equivalent per day (bcfepd), compared with 3.43

bcfepd last year.

Its average realized gas price rose to $2.91 per thousand

cubic feet, compared with $2.87 per mcf last year.

The company reported adjusted net income of 55 cents per

share, for the three months ended December 31, compared with the

analysts' average expectation of 48 cents per share, according

to data compiled by LSEG.