US Natural Gas Prices Reach Eight-Week High Amid Sustained Demand

US natural gas prices climbed to $2.94/MMBtu, marking their highest level in almost eight weeks, according to a report from Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide on 2 September 2026. This increase is attributed to enduring hot weather conditions and a strengthening in LNG export operations.

Forecasters anticipate that temperatures will largely remain above normal across the central US throughout mid-September. This weather pattern is expected to sustain elevated demand for gas-fired power generation, contributing to the upward pressure on prices.

LNG Export Activity Bolsters Demand

Simultaneously, average gas flows to the nine principal LNG export plants have shown an increase. These flows rose to 18.3 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in early September, an increase from 17.2 bcfd recorded in August. This surge in export activity follows the return to full operations of Cheniere Energy’s Corpus Christi facility and Freeport LNG in Texas, both of which had undergone maintenance periods.

The report also noted the landfall of Tropical Storm Edouard near the Texas-Louisiana border. However, it stated that no significant operational disruptions have been reported at LNG facilities in the region as a result of the storm thus far.

Supply Side Dynamics

On the supply front, production in the Lower 48 states averaged a record 111.5 bcfd in August. This figure represents an increase from 110.7 bcfd in July. Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide reported that this robust production level has maintained a well-supplied market, which has in turn limited the potential for further significant price increases. The balance between strong demand drivers and consistent supply appears to be shaping the current market trajectory.