WASHINGTON, D.C. / RankWire.AI / – The U.S. is projected to achieve a record-breaking average of 122.5 billion cubic feet per day in natural gas output in 2026. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that the previous high 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 maintain the momentum toward another yearly production peak.
A significant portion of this growth is driven by the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico. Production in this region is expected to average 29.2 Bcf/d this year, marking a 6% rise from 2025. Much of the natural gas from the Permian originates from wells primarily producing crude oil. Through July 2026, West Texas Intermediate crude averaged about $84 a barrel, compared to roughly $65 a barrel during 2025.
Production in the Haynesville region has also expanded, with output increasing across Louisiana and Texas. During the first half, production grew by 1.1 Bcf/d, or 7%, compared to the previous year. The annual forecast indicates a total rise of 9%, or approximately 1.3 Bcf/d. As one of the primary natural gas producing areas in the U.S., Haynesville benefits from its proximity to Gulf Coast demand centers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, placing much of its supply near key markets.
Permian and Haynesville Regions Drive U.S. Gas Supply
Despite high production and storage levels, natural gas prices have remained below earlier annual estimates. The EIA anticipates 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. Lower LNG feedgas demand during maintenance periods has contributed to elevated storage levels, with inventories forecast to reach a record 3,985 billion cubic feet by the end of October—about 5% above the five-year average.
Forecasts suggest dry natural gas production will average 111.19 Bcf/d in 2026, excluding some volumes included in broader marketed production figures. In 2027, dry gas output is expected to rise 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 robust, consistently exceeding total consumption, with exports gaining an increasingly important share of overall demand.
LNG Export Growth Bolsters Record Production Levels
The forecast indicates U.S. liquefied natural gas exports will average 17.4 Bcf/d in 2026, up from 15.1 Bcf/d in 2025. Export volumes are expected to climb further to 18.6 Bcf/d in 2027. Pipeline exports are projected to average 9.6 Bcf/d this year, compared to 9.5 Bcf/d in 2025. During the third quarter, LNG exports are expected to be around 16.5 Bcf/d, with maintenance temporarily reducing feedgas demand at some Gulf Coast export terminals.
From 2009 through 2024, the U.S. was the world’s leading natural gas producer, based on the most recent comparable global data. The 2026 outlook suggests another record for the country’s marketed production, driven mainly by growth in the Permian and Haynesville regions. Elevated output levels, strong storage reserves, and expanding LNG exports all contribute to the current landscape of the U.S. natural gas market, surpassing the record set in 2025.