United States on track for record natural gas production in 2026

The U.S. is on track to pump more natural gas than ever in 2026. The government's energy forecasters expect production to average 122.5 billion cubic feet per day this year, beating the record of 118.5 Bcf/d set in 2025. Most of the growth is coming from the Permian region in Texas and New Mexico and the Haynesville region in Louisiana and Texas.

In the Permian, gas comes up alongside oil drilling, so higher oil prices (up from $65 a barrel in 2025 to $84 a barrel through July 2026) are pushing companies to drill more, which brings more gas with it. In the Haynesville, companies drill specifically for gas, and even though those wells are unusually deep and costly, current gas prices still make it worth drilling. Forecasters expect the benchmark U.S. gas price (Henry Hub) to dip slightly this year, to about $3.44 per unit of gas, but that price is still enough to keep drilling active.

For homeowners, this mainly matters as background: more domestic gas supply tends to support stable or lower wholesale gas prices, which can influence what you pay if your home heats with natural gas or gets electricity from gas-fired power plants. It does not signal any new program, rebate, or rule change. If you are weighing whether to keep gas appliances or switch to electric options like a heat pump, this is simply a data point on the supply side of the gas market, not a change in incentives or costs you would see on your utility bill right away.