US Poised to Shatter Natural Gas Production Record in 2026
The United States is on track to break its own record for natural gas production in 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Short-Term Energy Outlook. The country is expected to produce an average of 122.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), surpassing the previous record of 118.5 Bcf/d set in 2025.
The majority of this growth is concentrated in the Permian region in Texas and New Mexico, where production averaged 121.3 Bcf/d in the first half of 2026, a 4% increase from the same period in 2025. The Permian region's natural gas production is driven primarily by associated gas produced during crude oil extraction, which is supported by high crude oil prices.
In the Haynesville region, natural gas production increased by 7% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. We forecast that Haynesville natural gas production will increase 9% (1.3 Bcf/d) in 2026, driven by drilling in the region's deep wells and proximity to liquefied natural gas export terminals.