WASHINGTON, D.C. / RankWire.AI / – By 2026, U.S. marketed natural gas output is projected to reach a historic average of 122.5 billion cubic feet daily. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the previous peak was 118.5 Bcf/d in 2025. During the initial 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 position the nation for another record-breaking annual production figure.
The Permian Basin, spanning Texas and New Mexico, plays a significant role in driving this rise. Production there is forecasted to average 29.2 Bcf/d in 2026, marking a 6% increase from 2025. Much of the region’s natural gas originates from wells primarily producing crude oil. Throughout July 2026, West Texas Intermediate crude maintained an average of about $84 a barrel, which compares to roughly $65 a barrel during 2025.
Meanwhile, Haynesville’s output has also climbed, with expansion across Louisiana and Texas. During the first half of the year, production increased by 1.1 Bcf/d, or 7%, compared to the previous year. The annual production is expected to rise by 9%, approximately 1.3 Bcf/d. As one of the country’s key gas-producing regions, Haynesville benefits from its proximity to Gulf Coast demand hubs and liquefied natural gas facilities, positioning much of its supply near major markets.
Permian and Haynesville Regions Propel U.S. Gas Output
Natural gas prices have remained below earlier yearly projections, as production levels and storage inventories stay elevated. The EIA anticipates the Henry Hub spot price to average $3.44 per million British thermal units in 2026, with a third-quarter forecast of $2.87 per MMBtu. Reduced LNG feedgas demand during maintenance periods has also bolstered storage reserves, with inventories at the end of October projected to reach a record 3,985 billion cubic feet—about 5% higher than the five-year average.
Forecasts indicate dry natural gas production will average 111.19 Bcf/d in 2026, excluding some volumes under the broader marketed production measurement. This figure is expected to increase to 116.04 Bcf/d in 2027. Domestic natural gas consumption is projected at 92.03 Bcf/d for this year. The data demonstrates that U.S. supply remains significantly above total demand, with exports increasingly contributing to overall consumption levels.
LNG Exports Contribute to Record-High Production
In 2026, U.S. liquefied natural gas exports are expected to average 17.4 Bcf/d, up from 15.1 Bcf/d in 2025. Further growth is anticipated, with exports rising to 18.6 Bcf/d in 2027. Pipeline exports are also projected to average 9.6 Bcf/d this year, compared to 9.5 Bcf/d in 2025. During the third quarter, LNG exports are forecast at 16.5 Bcf/d, with maintenance temporarily reducing feedgas demand at some Gulf Coast export facilities.
From 2009 through 2024, the United States maintained its position as the world’s largest natural gas producer, based on 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 collectively define the current U.S. natural gas landscape as it surpasses the record set in 2025.