Financial firm LSEG said average gas output in the U.S. Lower 48 states rose to 110.7 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) so far in July, up from 110.0 bcfd in June and the monthly record high of 110.6 bcfd in December 2025.
Near-record output and mild spring weather have allowed energy firms to keep the amount of gas in inventory higher than the five-year (2021-2025) average since March.
As they wait for next Thursday's weekly federal inventory report, analysts projected the amount of gas in storage would rise to 6.6% above normal during the week ended July 31, up from 6.4% above normal during the previous week.
Meteorologists forecast the weather would remain mostly warmer than normal through August 15, forcing power generators to continue burning lots of gas to keep air conditioners humming. About 40% of U.S. power generation comes from gas-fired plants.
LSEG projected average gas demand in the Lower 48 states, including exports, would rise from 111.8 bcfd this week to 112.2 bcfd next week and 112.8 bcfd in two weeks.
Average gas flows to the nine big U.S. LNG export plants eased to 17.2 bcfd so far in July due in part to maintenance at several facilities, including Freeport LNG's 2.4-bcfd plant in Texas. That is down from an average of 17.4 bcfd in June and a monthly record high of 18.8 bcfd in April.
The U.S. became the world's biggest LNG exporter in 2023, surpassing Australia and Qatar, as surging global prices fed demand for more low-cost U.S. gas.
UNG•
