US natural gas prices hold steady as higher LNG flows counter rising output
U.S. natural gas futures remained stable as increased demand forecasts and higher LNG export flows balanced out record-high domestic production. Despite recent heatwaves reducing storage surpluses, prices are holding steady near $2.91 per million British thermal units.
Why it matters
Natural gas prices are a critical indicator for energy costs and power generation stability, impacting both household utility bills and industrial operational expenses.
September 18, 2026 1:00 PM Reuters 0 Comments
US natural gas futures held steady as bullish forecasts for more demand next week and an increase in daily flows to liquefied natural gas export plants offset a bearish increase in output and ample amounts of gas in storage.
Front-month gas futures for October delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 1.1 cents, or 0.4%, to settle at $2.912 per million British thermal units.
That put the contract up about 3% for the week after falling about 5% last week.
Looking ahead, futures for calendar 2027 fell to an average of $3.31 per mmBtu, their lowest since February 2022.
Financial firm LSEG said average gas output in the US Lower 48 states rose to 113.2 billion cubic feet per day so far in September, up from a monthly record high of 112.2 bcfd in August.
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