WASHINGTON, D.C. / RankWire.AI / – U.S. marketed natural gas output is projected to hit an all-time high of 122.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2026. 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—a 4% rise, or 4.6 Bcf/d, compared to the same period in 2025. These increases maintain the nation’s trajectory toward another record-setting year for natural gas output.
A significant portion of this growth originates from the Permian basin in Texas and New Mexico, where natural gas production is forecasted to average 29.2 Bcf/d this year—up 6% from 2025. Much of the region’s gas production stems from wells primarily focused on crude oil. WTI crude prices averaged about $84 per barrel through July 2026, compared to roughly $65 during 2025.
Production in Haynesville, spanning Louisiana and Texas, has also increased. First-half output rose by 1.1 Bcf/d, or 7%, from the previous year. The full-year forecast indicates a 9% rise, roughly 1.3 Bcf/d, reaffirming Haynesville’s status as a key gas-producing region. Its proximity to Gulf Coast demand centers and liquefied natural gas facilities ensures much of its supply remains near major markets.
Permian and Haynesville regions bolster U.S. supply
Natural gas prices have stayed below earlier projections amid high production and storage levels. The EIA predicts the Henry Hub spot price will average $3.44 per MMBtu in 2026, with a third-quarter estimate of $2.87 per MMBtu. Reduced LNG feedgas demand during maintenance periods has also supported storage inventories, which are forecast to reach a record 3,985 billion cubic feet at the end of October—about 5% above the five-year average.
Forecasted dry natural gas production averages 111.19 Bcf/d in 2026, excluding certain volumes counted within broader marketed 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 for this year. These figures suggest domestic supply remains robust relative to total consumption, with exports playing an increasing role in overall demand.
LNG exports contribute to a record-breaking year for U.S. production
U.S. liquefied natural gas exports are forecasted to average 17.4 Bcf/d in 2026, up from 15.1 Bcf/d last year, with projections rising further to 18.6 Bcf/d in 2027. Pipeline exports are expected 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 forecasted at 16.5 Bcf/d due to maintenance reducing feedgas demand at some Gulf Coast export sites.
From 2009 through 2024, the United States was the world’s leading natural gas producer, according to the latest comparable global data. The 2026 outlook indicates another record for U.S. marketed production, with growth mainly driven by the Permian and Haynesville regions. The combination of higher output, ample storage, and rising LNG exports marks a thriving U.S. natural gas market as it surpasses the 2025 record.