EIA Projects Record High US Natural Gas Output, Demand In 2018

U.S. dry natural gas production should rise to an all-time high of 80.96 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2018 from 73.55 Bcf/d in 2017, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short Term Energy Outlook (STEO) released Sept. 11.

The latest September output projection for 2018 was down from the EIA’s 81.10-Bcf/d forecast in August but would still easily top the current annual record high of 74.15 Bcf/d produced on average in 2015.

The EIA also projected U.S. gas consumption would rise to an all-time high of 79.81 Bcf/d in 2018 from 74.20 Bcf/d in 2017.