BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA (Steve Stewart, Energy Analytics Institute, 12.Feb.2025) — US marketed natural gas production is expected to average 114.7 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2025, up 1.4% compared to 113.1 Bcf/d in 2024, according to recent data revealed by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). This gas production is expected to average 117.9 Bcf/d in 2026, up 2.8% compared to 2025.
Total US gas production remains dominated by 3 regions — Appalachia, Permian and Haynesville, and in this order. These regions alone are forecast to produce a combined 77.4 Bcf/d in 2025, which would account for 67.5% of total US gas production, rising to 81.1 Bcf/d in 2026 (68.8%). This compares to 75.4 Bcf/d in 2024 (66.7%), according to EIA data compiled and analyzed by Energy Analytics Institute (EAI).
Appalachia Basin
Appalachia is forecast to remain the largest gas production region in the US. Production from Appalachia is forecast to average 35.5 Bcf/d in 2025 (31% of total US gas production) and 36.2 Bcf/d in 2026 (30.7%). This compares to 35.5 Bcf/d in 2024 (31.4%).
On an absolute basis, Appalachia production is forecast to rise 0.7 Bcf/d by 2026 compared to 2024, up just 2% over the timeframe.
The Appalachia region contains 2 shale formations: Marcellus and Utica. Marcellus lies under the Appalachian Basin, and spans across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky, according to the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Permian Basin
Permian is forecast to remain the second largest gas production region in the US. Production from the Permian is forecast to average 27 Bcf/d in 2025 (23.5% of the total US gas production) and 28.6 Bcf/d in 2026 (24.2%). This compares to 24.8 Bcf/d in 2024 (21.9%).
On an absolute basis, Permian production is forecast to rise 3.6 Bcf/d by 2026 compared to 2024, up 14.2% over the timeframe.
The Permian is located in West Texas and the adjoining area of southeastern New Mexico. Other areas within the greater Permian Basin include the Delaware Basin and Midland Basin. The Delaware Basin includes significant development in the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp, together known as the Wolfbone, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. The Midland Basin includes significant development in the Spraberry and Wolfcamp, together known as the Wolfberry. Recent increased use of enhanced-recovery practices in the Permian Basin has resulted in a substantial impact on U.S. oil production.
Haynesville Shale
Haynesville is forecast to remain the third largest gas production region in the US. Production from the Haynesville is forecast to average 14.9 Bcf/d in 2025 (13% of the total US gas production) and 16.4 Bcf/d in 2026 (13.9%). This compares to 14.9 Bcf/d in 2024 (13.2%).
On an absolute basis, Haynesville production is forecast to rise 1.5 Bcf/d by 2026 compared to 2024, up 9.7% over the timeframe.
The Haynesville/Bossier Shale, located in East Texas (Railroad Commission of Texas District 6) and Western Louisiana, is a hydrocarbon-producing geological formation capable of producing large amounts of gas. It’s generally recognized that the shale interval in East Texas is the Lower Bossier that correlates with the Haynesville of Louisiana, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas. The Upper Bossier Formation is distinguished from the Lower Bossier Formation by its location, to the southwest, and the fact that it is more sand-rich.
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By Steve Stewart reporting from Baton Rouge. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
