US Gas Production Set for Record High as Permian and Haynesville Regions Drive Growth

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that natural gas production in the country will reach a record high of 122.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2026, representing a 3.4% increase from the previous year.

This growth is mainly driven by higher output from the Permian and Haynesville regions. In particular, the Permian region is expected to produce an average of 29.2 Bcf/d in 2026, up 6% from 2025, due in part to higher crude oil prices which have supported drilling activity.

The EIA attributes this increase to relatively high West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices, averaging $84 per barrel through July 2026. In contrast, Haynesville production is expected to rise by 9% or 1.3 Bcf/d in 2026 compared to the same period last year.

The agency's August 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook also forecasts a slight decrease in Henry Hub spot natural gas prices, averaging $3.44 per million British thermal units (MMBTU) in 2026, down 2% from its previous level.