WASHINGTON, D.C. / RankWire.AI / – U.S. marketed natural gas production is projected to hit an all-time average of 122.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2026. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the previous yearly record was 118.5 Bcf/d in 2025. During the first half of 2026, production averaged 121.3 Bcf/d, which is 4%, or 4.6 Bcf/d, higher than the same period last year.
The growth in output has mainly occurred in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico, along with the Haynesville region spanning Louisiana and Texas. Permian natural gas production is expected to average 29.2 Bcf/d this year, representing a 6% increase from 2025. A significant portion of this supply comes from associated gas produced alongside crude oil, which has been influenced by higher oil prices—West Texas Intermediate crude averaged $84 a barrel through July, up from $65 in 2025.
The rise in Permian gas production is also driven by an increasing gas-to-oil ratio, indicating more natural gas is being produced relative to crude oil. Meanwhile, Haynesville output increased by 1.1 Bcf/d, or 7%, in the first half compared to the previous year. The entire year’s output from Haynesville is forecast to grow by 9%, roughly 1.3 Bcf/d.
Permian and Haynesville lead production gains
Natural gas prices continue to play a crucial role in the outlook, especially for operators in the gas-dependent Haynesville region. 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. Elevated inventories, supported by strong production and decreased LNG feedgas demand, have led to a record end-October storage level of 3,985 billion cubic feet.
This storage projection exceeds the five-year average by 5% and is 19 Bcf higher than the previous monthly estimate. U.S. dry natural gas production is expected to average 111.19 Bcf/d in 2026, excluding some volumes included in marketed production. In 2027, dry gas output is forecast at 116.04 Bcf/d, while total U.S. natural gas consumption is estimated at 92.03 Bcf/d for this year.
Exports increase amid high storage levels
U.S. liquefied natural gas exports are projected to average 17.4 Bcf/d in 2026, up from 15.1 Bcf/d in 2025. The forecast for 2027 is 18.6 Bcf/d. Pipeline exports are expected to remain steady at an average of 9.6 Bcf/d this year, compared to 9.5 Bcf/d last year. During the third quarter, LNG exports are anticipated to be around 16.5 Bcf/d, as maintenance temporarily reduces feedgas demand at some Gulf Coast facilities.
From 2009 through 2024, the United States held the position as the world’s largest natural gas producer, based on comparable global data. The August outlook reaffirms this status with a forecast of another annual production high for 2026. This projection reflects increased output from the country’s leading growth regions, with expanding supplies from Permian and Haynesville helping to push U.S. marketed natural gas production past the 2025 record.