US Natgas Prices Rise on Tuesday
2026-08-18 14:32
By
Agna Gabriel
1 min. read
US natural gas prices climbed above $2.71/MMBtu as forecasts pointed to prolonged and intense heat across the southern and western parts of the country.
Particularly high temperatures in Texas are driving greater air-conditioning use, increasing electricity demand and placing additional pressure on gas-fired power plants and the regional grid.
Houston temperatures are expected to average around 100°F between August 20 and 23, while peak demand on the Texas power grid could reach a new record as wind generation declines.
However, the price gains were limited by exceptionally strong domestic production.
Average output in the Lower 48 states has reached 111.6 billion cubic feet per day in August, surpassing July’s record of 110.7 bcfd.
Strong production and relatively mild weather earlier this year have also kept inventories above the five-year average since March.
Meanwhile, gas flows to the nine major US LNG export facilities are averaging 17.2 bcfd in August, unchanged from July.