No, but they need a steady cash flow to be able to operate. When their costs increase they need to increase the price.
Uhh dude, all business needs steady cash flow. But you do not see other industries pulling the same crap.

As an isolated event yes, but since they ahve to keep producing gas for you they need to cover the increased production costs today aswell which means they have to increase the price today for the production that takes place tomorrow.
It is not increased production costs. It is speculation on the oil market that drives the prices up. And they do with the profits they made and the profits they WILL make. Over 4 billion in profits...