EIA Forecasts Record High US Natural Gas Supply and Demand in 2026
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting that natural gas supply and demand will reach record highs in 2026. The agency projects dry gas production to increase from a record 107.6 billion cubic feet per day in 2025 to 111.2 bcfd in 2026 and 116.0 bcfd in 2027. Domestic gas consumption is expected to rise from a record 91.9 bcfd in 2025 to 92.0 bcfd in 2026 and 94.8 bcfd in 2027.
The EIA also forecasts that average US liquefied natural gas exports will increase from a record 15.1 bcfd in 2025 to 17.4 bcfd in 2026 and 18.6 bcfd in 2027. Gas inventories are projected to rise to a decade high of around four trillion cubic feet in October, providing a buffer for increased heating-related consumption during the winter.
EIA Administrator Tristan Abbey stated that 'more natural gas in inventories in the fall season provides a cushion for increased heating-related consumption during the winter.'