US Natgas Output to Hit Record High as Demand Falters

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released its short-term energy outlook, predicting that natural gas production will reach a record high in 2026. The agency forecasts dry gas production to increase from 107.7 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2025 to 109.5 bcfd in 2026 and 112.3 bcfd in 2027.

On the other hand, domestic gas consumption is expected to decline from a record 91.9 bcfd in 2025 to 91.4 bcfd in 2026 before rising to 92.1 bcfd in 2027. This decrease in demand could be attributed to power generators burning less coal this year.

The EIA also projects that average US liquefied natural gas exports will rise from a record 15.1 bcfd in 2025 to 16.7 bcfd in 2026 and 18.1 bcfd in 2027. Additionally, the agency forecasts US coal production to drop from a two-year high of 533.0 million short tons in 2025 to 513.9 million tons in 2026 and 498.0 million tons in 2027, the lowest since 1963.

The EIA's projections also indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels will decline from a three-year high of 4.904 billion metric tons in 2025 to 4.820 billion metric tons in 2026 as oil, coal, and gas use decreases, and 4.816 billion metric tons in 2027 as coal use declines.