Driven primarily by increased output in Permian Basin, U.S. natural gas production reached a record high in July 2026. U.S. Energy Information Administration said Oct. 2 in its latest Natural Gas Monthly that gross withdrawals (total volume of gas extracted at wellhead) was 137 billion cubic feet per day for July. It was the first new record for gross withdrawals this year after five in 2025.
EIA said the record was driven primarily by new wells coming online in Permian Basin in west Texas and eastern New Mexico. Permian is experiencing increased gas-to-oil ratios. U.S. natural gas production grew in 2025 because of higher natural gas prices, continued gains in new well productivity, and increased operational efficiency. Gross withdrawals in Texas and New Mexico increased by a combined 1.7 Bcfd from June to July. And new pipelines increased the takeaway capacity from Permian to LNG export terminals on the Gulf Coast to support production growth.