BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 10. Marketed natural gas production in the United States averaged 116.8 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in the second quarter of 2025, marking a 4.7 Bcf/d increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Trend reports.
The EIA forecasts that production levels will remain steady through 2026, averaging around 116 Bcf/d in both 2025 and 2026. The increase is largely attributed to higher natural gas prices this year, which have provided greater support for continued production. In the first half of 2025, the Henry Hub spot price — the U.S. natural gas benchmark — averaged $3.67 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), up sharply from $2.11/MMBtu during the same period in 2024.
While the EIA projects flat production levels moving forward, it expects total U.S. marketed natural gas output for 2025 to show an overall increase of nearly 3% compared to last year, with the bulk of that growth occurring in the first half of the year.
The Permian Basin continues to be the main driver of growth, with projected production for 2025 reaching 27.0 Bcf/d, or 6% more than in 2024. Additional gains are expected from the Appalachia and Haynesville regions. Meanwhile, output from other producing areas across the U.S. is forecast to decline, balancing out the national totals in 2026.
The EIA's projection suggests a period of relative stability for the natural gas sector, underpinned by regional growth dynamics and firm pricing, as producers respond to both domestic demand and evolving global energy market conditions.
