US Natural Gas Stocks Rise Less Than Expected

US natural gas inventories increased by 67 billion cubic feet in the week ending October 9, falling short of market expectations for a 76 bcf build and marking a slowdown from the previous week’s 85 bcf injection. The latest addition was also smaller than the 80 bcf recorded during the same period last year and the five-year seasonal average of 90 bcf. Despite the below-forecast increase, total gas in storage rose to 3.567 trillion cubic feet. Inventories were 3.9% lower than a year earlier but remained 1.3% above the average for this time of year over the 2021–2025 period.

US energy companies added 85 billion cubic feet of natural gas to storage on the week that ended October 2nd, 2026, the most since late June following a lower restocking period in the Spring and Summer. The figure was above the preliminary estimate of 79 bcf. The increase lifted outstanding inventory to 3.500 trillion cubic feet, 3.6% below the corresponding period of the previous year as higher capacity in export plants and lower global supply from the Middle East incentivized companies to sell LNG abroad.

US energy companies added 64 billion cubic feet of natural gas to storage during the week ending September 25, 2026, matching market expectations. The injection was above the 56 bcf added during the same week last year but below the five-year seasonal average of 80 bcf. Total inventories increased to 3.415 trillion cubic feet, leaving stocks 3.9% below year-ago levels but approximately 2.4% above the five-year average for the period. The latest build was also larger than the 53 bcf injection recorded in the previous week through September 18. Looking ahead, preliminary estimates point to a further 79 bcf increase in storage for the week ending October 2. That expected build would be slightly above the 77 bcf added during the comparable week in 2025, but remains below the five-year average injection of 96 bcf.