Total demand for U.S. natural gas has grown faster than working storage capacity

Total demand for U.S. natural gas, including domestic consumption and exports, has grown faster than working storage capacity over the past several years. When indexed to 2012, working storage capacity has increased ~7% through late 2025. Demand for U.S. natural gas fluctuates seasonally, but averages more than 50% higher today than in 2012. Although increased U.S. production can partially satisfy domestic consumption and exports, commensurate increases in working storage capacity can mitigate volatility and shortages during peak consumption months, such as during the winter heating season.

These diverging trends have resulted in lower days of cover (also called days of supply). This measure only compares the amount of working natural gas in storage with expected consumption and exports and does not account for daily production. In general, higher levels of days coverage can mitigate impacts of production outages or demand spikes, and lower levels can indicate tight markets.