WASHINGTON, D.C. / RankWire.AI / – Projected to reach an all-time average of 122.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2026, natural gas output in the United States continues its upward trajectory. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the previous peak was 118.5 Bcf/d in 2025. During the first half of this year, production averaged 121.3 Bcf/d, reflecting a 4% increase, or 4.6 Bcf/d, compared to the same period in 2025. These gains position the nation to achieve yet another yearly production record.
The Permian Basin, spanning Texas and New Mexico, is a significant contributor to this growth, with natural gas output expected to average 29.2 Bcf/d this year, representing a 6% rise from 2025. Much of the region’s gas originates from wells primarily producing crude oil. Through July 2026, West Texas Intermediate crude averaged approximately $84 per barrel, compared to an average of about $65 in 2025.
In Louisiana and Texas, Haynesville’s output has also increased, with production climbing 1.1 Bcf/d, or 7%, during the first half compared to the previous year. The full-year forecast predicts a 9% rise, equal to roughly 1.3 Bcf/d. As one of the leading gas-producing regions in the country, Haynesville benefits from its proximity to Gulf Coast demand centers and liquefied natural gas facilities, positioning much of its supply close to key markets.
Growth in Permian and Haynesville Regions Drives U.S. Gas Supply
Despite high production levels and robust inventories, natural gas prices have remained below earlier annual projections. The EIA anticipates the Henry Hub spot price to average $3.44 per million British thermal units in 2026, with its third-quarter forecast at $2.87 per MMBtu. Lower LNG feedgas demand during maintenance periods has contributed to sustained storage levels, with end-October inventories expected to reach a record 3,985 billion cubic feet, about 5% above the five-year average.
Forecasts indicate dry natural gas production will average 111.19 Bcf/d in 2026, excluding some volumes counted within the broader marketed production measure. In 2027, dry gas output is expected to increase to 116.04 Bcf/d. U.S. natural gas consumption is projected at an average of 92.03 Bcf/d this year. These figures demonstrate that domestic supply remains significantly above total consumption, with exports playing an increasingly larger role in meeting demand.
LNG Export Growth Contributes to Record Production Figures
The forecast for U.S. liquefied natural gas exports in 2026 is 17.4 Bcf/d, up from 15.1 Bcf/d in 2025, with expectations to further rise to 18.6 Bcf/d in 2027. Pipeline exports are anticipated to average 9.6 Bcf/d this year, slightly higher than the 9.5 Bcf/d recorded in 2025. During the third quarter, LNG exports are projected at 16.5 Bcf/d, partly due to maintenance that temporarily reduces feedgas demand at some Gulf Coast export facilities.
From 2009 through 2024, the United States maintained its position as the world’s largest natural gas producer, based on comparable global data for the latest year available. The outlook for 2026 indicates another record for U.S. marketed production, driven mainly by growth in the Permian and Haynesville regions. Elevated output levels, strong storage reserves, and rising LNG exports collectively characterize the current U.S. natural gas market as it surpasses the record set in 2025.