ACC News Brief
Energy Policy United States
EIA forecasts record U.S. marketed natural gas production in 2026
What happened
The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts marketed natural gas production averaging 122.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2026, up from 118.5 billion in 2025. EIA says first-half 2026 output was about 4% higher than a year earlier, with growth led by the Permian and Haynesville regions.
Why it matters
Higher production can affect power prices, exports, infrastructure, methane management, and the pace of the energy transition. The annual figure is a forecast, not a completed total, and this EIA item does not calculate the resulting greenhouse-gas emissions.
What to watch
- Whether second-half production, prices, drilling, and pipeline constraints match EIA's assumptions.
- Methane measurement and enforcement across wells, gathering systems, processing, and transmission.
- How LNG exports, electricity demand, renewables, storage, and efficiency change domestic gas use.
Sources & evidence
- U.S. marketed natural gas production is forecast to reach a record in 2026U.S. Energy Information Administration analysis published August 12, 2026, with production observations and Short-Term Energy Outlook forecasts.
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