U.S. gas storage expected to remain above average this fall

U.S. working natural gas inventories are projected to reach 3,872 billion cubic feet (Bcf) by the end of October, about 2% higher than the five-year average for that time of year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest Short-Term Energy Outlook.

The agency said inventories grew quickly from late April through early June, when weekly net injections exceeded 100 Bcf for seven consecutive weeks. That marked the first time such a streak has occurred since 2014. By contrast, injections of that size typically happen about three times per year.

EIA noted that U.S. production outpaced consumption at the start of the 2025 injection season, which runs from April through October. As a result, storage levels shifted from 4% below the five-year average at the end of March to 7% above the average as of Aug. 8, according to the agency’s Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report.

The agency expects injection rates to slow in the coming months as summer power generation demand and liquefied natural gas exports absorb more supply.

Regionally, the South Central, Midwest and East storage regions accounted for most of the growth in recent months. EIA forecasts the South Central region will remain above the five-year average through October and close the injection season at its highest level since 2016. Storage in the other regions is expected to end the season near their five-year averages.