US Natural Gas Production Reaches Record High in July 2026

U.S. natural gas production reached an all-time high in July 2026, driven by increased output, particularly in the Permian Basin. This marks the first new monthly record for gross withdrawals in 2026, following five record-setting months during 2025.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) latest Natural Gas Monthly, gross withdrawals, which represent the total volume of gas extracted at the wellhead, attained a record 137 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in July 2026. Beyond gross withdrawals, July 2026 also saw all-time records set for both marketed production and dry gas production.

Permian Basin Driving Growth

The July 2026 record was primarily influenced by the commissioning of new wells in Texas and New Mexico. The Permian region, encompassing parts of western Texas and eastern New Mexico, is identified as a highly productive oil and gas area globally, and has experienced increasing gas-to-oil ratios.

Gross withdrawals in Texas and New Mexico collectively rose by 1.7 Bcf/d (3.2%) from June to July 2026. Other states also contributed to the overall increase, with gross withdrawals in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and North Dakota each growing by more than 0.1 Bcf/d during the same period.

Infrastructure and Efficiency Contributions

The EIA notes that new natural gas pipeline infrastructure is contributing to the ease of long-standing gas transport bottlenecks in Texas. An example cited is the Hugh Brinson Pipeline, which commenced interstate pipeline flows ahead of its scheduled completion this summer. These new pipelines are enhancing takeaway capacity from the Permian Basin towards liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals located on the Gulf Coast, thereby supporting continued production growth.

Overall, U.S. natural gas production saw growth in 2025 due to a combination of higher natural gas prices, sustained improvements in new well productivity, and enhanced operational efficiency across the sector.