Natural Gas Monthly

Natural Gas Monthly
Title	Natural Gas Monthly
Publisher	U.S. Energy Information Administration
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Statistical report, Energy data
Website	https://www.eia.gov/naturalgas/monthly/

Natural Gas Monthly. It is a principal statistical publication issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), providing comprehensive data on the supply, disposition, and prices of natural gas within the United States. The report serves as a critical resource for energy industry analysts, policy makers, financial institutions, and researchers tracking the North American hydrocarbon market. Published with a regular schedule, it consolidates information from myriad sources to present a detailed snapshot of monthly and yearly trends.

Overview

The publication functions as the EIA's authoritative source for integrated natural gas statistics, covering the entire sequence from production to consumption. Its data is instrumental for assessing the health of the U.S. energy sector and informing decisions at entities like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy. The findings within the report often influence market analyses conducted by firms such as S&P Global and Bloomberg L.P., and can impact trading on hubs like the Henry Hub in Louisiana. By offering a consistent methodological framework, it allows for longitudinal study of the nation's evolving energy landscape.

Data Collection and Reporting

Data compilation involves extensive surveys and reporting mandates administered under the authority of the Energy Policy Act and other federal statutes. Information is gathered directly from operators across the supply chain, including companies engaged in hydraulic fracturing in the Permian Basin and the Appalachian Basin, interstate pipeline entities like Kinder Morgan, and local distribution companies. The EIA integrates this with data from other agencies, including the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to ensure comprehensiveness. This rigorous process ensures the statistics reflect activities from major producing regions such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Marcellus Shale.

Key Metrics and Indicators

Core metrics presented include total dry natural gas production, volumes of imports and exports via pipelines and as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from facilities like Sabine Pass, and underground storage levels in facilities across regions like the Midwest United States. The report details consumption by sector, including electric power generation for utilities like Southern Company, industrial use, and residential demand. It also tracks average prices at key market centers, providing benchmarks referenced in contracts and financial derivatives. These indicators are vital for understanding market dynamics, such as the impact of a cold winter on New England inventories or export flows to markets in Japan and the European Union.

Uses and Applications

Primary users include analysts at investment banks like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, strategists at integrated energy majors such as ExxonMobil and Chevron Corporation, and policy advisors within the White House and the United States Congress. The data supports the modeling of energy supply forecasts, the evaluation of infrastructure projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline, and the assessment of environmental policies related to carbon emissions. It is also foundational for academic research conducted at institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and reports by international bodies such as the International Energy Agency.

Historical Context and Trends

The publication's data series chronicle significant shifts in the U.S. energy policy and industry, most notably the shale gas revolution driven by technological advances in the early 21st century. This period saw dramatic increases in production from formations like the Haynesville Shale, transforming the United States from a net importer to a net exporter of natural gas. The report has documented the subsequent rise of the LNG export industry, price volatility events like those following Hurricane Katrina, and the evolving consumption patterns amid the growth of renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar power.

Publication and Access

The report is released according to a predefined schedule, typically by the end of the month following the data month, and is hosted on the official website of the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It is available to the public free of charge, supporting governmental transparency initiatives. Historical archives of the data are maintained, allowing for analysis of long-term trends. The information is frequently cited in media outlets like The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, and its data feeds are integrated into commercial information platforms and academic databases worldwide.

Category:United States government publications Category:Energy in the United States Category:Natural gas