US Gas Output Surges to Record High in 2026: Permian Basin Leads the Way

The US is on track to break its own record for natural gas production in 2026, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The agency forecasts that output will average 122.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), surpassing the previous annual record of 118.5 Bcf/d set in 2025.

The increase is driven by continued growth in major shale-producing regions, particularly the Permian Basin, Appalachia, and Haynesville. The Permian is especially significant because natural gas is produced alongside crude oil, with associated gas contributing to overall output.

As the US continues to expand its position as a major LNG supplier, EIA previously forecast U.S. LNG exports at about 17.4 Bcf/d in 2026, up from 15.1 Bcf/d in 2025. This growth is supported by new and expanded LNG facilities, including Plaquemines LNG, Corpus Christi Stage 3, and Golden Pass LNG.

Despite record production, the outlook does not necessarily point to a sustained collapse in US natural gas prices. The EIA's recent forecasts put the Henry Hub benchmark around the mid-$3-per-million-Btu range for 2026, with production growth helping to moderate prices while stronger LNG exports and domestic consumption provide additional demand.