WASHINGTON, D.C. / RankWire.AI / – Natural gas production in the United States continues to surge, with expectations of reaching a historic peak of 122.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2026. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the previous high was 118.5 Bcf/d in 2025. During the first half of this year, output averaged 121.3 Bcf/d, representing a 4% increase, or 4.6 Bcf/d, compared to the same period in 2025. These developments suggest the nation is on track for yet another yearly production record.
A significant portion of this growth is driven by the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico, where natural gas output is anticipated to average 29.2 Bcf/d this year, marking a 6% rise from 2025. Much of the gas produced in this region originates from wells primarily focused on crude oil. Through July 2026, West Texas Intermediate crude averaged roughly $84 per barrel, compared to an average of around $65 in 2025.
In addition, production in the Haynesville Shale has also increased as output expands across Louisiana and Texas. During the first half of the year, production rose by 1.1 Bcf/d, or 7%, compared to the previous year. The full-year projection indicates a 9% growth, approximately 1.3 Bcf/d. Haynesville remains among the nation’s leading gas-producing regions, benefiting from its proximity to Gulf Coast demand centers and liquefied natural gas facilities, which position much of its supply near key markets.
Permian and Haynesville regions drive U.S. natural gas expansion
Despite the increase in production and inventories, natural gas prices have stayed below earlier forecasts for the year. The EIA predicts the Henry Hub spot price will average $3.44 per million British thermal units in 2026, with a third-quarter forecast of $2.87 per MMBtu. Additionally, lower demand for LNG feedgas during maintenance periods has supported storage levels, which are projected to reach a record 3,985 billion cubic feet by the end of October, 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. Looking ahead, dry gas output is expected to reach 116.04 Bcf/d in 2027. U.S. natural gas consumption is estimated at an average of 92.03 Bcf/d this year. The data reflects that domestic supply remains significantly above total consumption, with exports playing an increasingly important role in overall demand.
Exports of LNG contribute to an already record-breaking production year
Exports of liquefied natural gas from the U.S. are projected to average 17.4 Bcf/d in 2026, up from 15.1 Bcf/d in 2025. Looking forward, LNG exports are expected to climb further to 18.6 Bcf/d in 2027. Pipeline exports are forecast to average 9.6 Bcf/d this year, slightly above the 9.5 Bcf/d recorded in 2025. During the third quarter, LNG exports are predicted to be around 16.5 Bcf/d, as maintenance temporarily reduces feedgas demand at some Gulf Coast export terminals.
From 2009 through 2024, the United States was the world’s leading natural gas producer, according to the latest comparable global data. The forecast for 2026 indicates yet another record for U.S. marketed production, driven mainly by growth in the Permian and Haynesville regions. Elevated output, robust storage levels, and increasing LNG exports characterize the current U.S. natural gas market, as production surpasses the record set in 2025.