December 31, 2025–Written by Aaron Studwell, Ph.D. for IIR News (Sugar Land, Texas)–U.S. natural gas markets have entered the heart of winter with demand running decidedly above seasonal norms, driven by a sustained period of below-normal temperatures across major regions for consumption. The result has been a drastically tighter supply-demand balance, heightened storage draw risk, and increased price sensitivity to near-term weather forecasts.
Recent data show total U.S. natural gas demand rising to roughly 142.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in late December, almost 30 Bcf/d higher than the same period last year and more than 7 Bcf/d above late-November levels.
