WASHINGTON, D.C. / RankWire.AI / – The natural gas output in the United States 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, representing a 4% rise, or 4.6 Bcf/d, compared to the same period in 2025. These upward trends position the country for yet another record-breaking year in natural gas output.
A significant portion of this growth stems from the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico, where natural gas production is anticipated to reach an average of 29.2 Bcf/d this year—an increase of 6% from 2025. Much of the region’s gas comes from wells primarily producing crude oil. Through July 2026, West Texas Intermediate crude averaged around $84 a barrel, a notable rise from the approximately $65 a barrel average during 2025.
Production in the Haynesville region has also expanded, with increased output across Louisiana and Texas. During the first half of the year, output grew by 1.1 Bcf/d, or 7%, compared to the previous year. The full-year projection suggests a 9% rise, roughly 1.3 Bcf/d more. As one of the nation’s leading natural gas-producing areas, Haynesville benefits from its proximity to Gulf Coast demand centers and liquefied natural gas facilities, positioning much of its supply near key markets.
Permian and Haynesville Drive U.S. Gas Supply
Natural gas prices have remained below earlier annual estimates, supported by high production levels and storage inventories. The EIA forecasts the Henry Hub spot price to average $3.44 per million British thermal units in 2026, with a third-quarter estimate of $2.87 per MMBtu. Additionally, decreased LNG feedgas demand during maintenance periods has helped sustain storage levels, which are expected to reach a record 3,985 billion cubic feet by the end of October—about 5% above the five-year average.
The forecast for dry natural gas production in 2026 is 111.19 Bcf/d, excluding some volumes counted within the broader marketed production measure. By 2027, this figure is expected to increase to 116.04 Bcf/d. Domestic consumption is projected at an average of 92.03 Bcf/d in 2026, indicating that supply continues to exceed demand. Meanwhile, exports are capturing an increasing portion of overall consumption.
LNG Exports Contribute to Record-Breaking Year
In 2026, U.S. liquefied natural gas exports are anticipated to reach an average of 17.4 Bcf/d, a rise from 15.1 Bcf/d in the previous year. The projection indicates further growth to 18.6 Bcf/d in 2027. Pipeline exports are expected to average 9.6 Bcf/d in 2026, slightly higher than the 9.5 Bcf/d recorded in 2025. During the third quarter, LNG exports are forecasted at 16.5 Bcf/d, a temporary decline caused by maintenance reducing feedgas demand at some Gulf Coast export terminals.
From 2009 through 2024, the United States held the position of the world’s largest natural gas producer, based on the latest comparable global data. The forecast for 2026 signals another record for U.S. marketed production, driven primarily by growth in the Permian and Haynesville regions. Elevated output, robust storage levels, and increasing LNG exports collectively characterize the current U.S. natural gas market, as production surpasses the record set in 2025.