US natural gas output and demand to hit record highs in 2026 and 2027, EIA says
UNG•The EIA projected US dry gas production would reach 112.2 billion cubic feet per day in 2026 and 116.1 bcfd in 2027, while domestic consumption rises to 92.4 bcfd and 93.8 bcfd, respectively.
1. Output and demand rise
US natural gas supply and demand will both reach record highs in 2026 and 2027, the EIA said. It projected dry gas production to rise from a record 107.6 billion cubic feet per day in 2025 to 112.2 bcfd in 2026 and 116.1 bcfd in 2027. Domestic consumption is forecast to increase from 91.9 bcfd in 2025 to 92.4 bcfd in 2026 and 93.8 bcfd in 2027.
2. Exports and prices
The EIA raised its 2026 production forecast from 111.7 bcfd in September and its demand forecast from 92.2 bcfd. Average US liquefied natural gas exports are forecast to rise from 15.1 bcfd in 2025 to 17.6 bcfd in 2026 and 18.6 bcfd in 2027. Henry Hub spot prices are expected to average $3.16 per million British thermal units in 2027, down 9% from 2026, as higher-than-average inventories driven by production increases offset rising LNG exports.
3. Coal and emissions
The EIA projected coal production would fall from 528.4 million short tons in 2025 to 521.4 million in 2026 and 513.9 million in 2027, as power generators are expected to burn less coal. Fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions are forecast to decline from 4.916 billion metric tons in 2025 to 4.845 billion in 2026 and 4.841 billion in 2027 as oil and coal use decreases.
