US Dry Gas Production Higher in August, EIA Says

US dry gas production increased year-over-year in August for the third consecutive month, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its latest Natural Gas Monthly, released October 31.

Production for August averaged 73.5bn ft³/day, the EIA said, up 1.6% from 72.3bn ft³/day in August 2016.

Consumption, however, fell 6.1%, to 67.1bn ft³/day from 71.5bn ft³/day, as increased demand from the residential, commercial and industrial sectors was more than offset by a near 13% drop in consumption for electric power generation, to 32.5bn ft³/day from 37.3bn ft³/day in August last year.

The US lost its status as a net exporter in August by the slimmest of margins, as total imports, at 7.996bn ft³/day were marginally higher than exports, which averaged 7.967bn ft³/day. In the January to August period, however, exports totalled 2,048bn ft³, slightly more than imports of 2,047bn ft³.

LNG exports in August were nearly double the year ago average, at 1.47bn ft³/day versus 863.5mn ft³/day, while pipeline exports to Mexico rose to 4.35bn ft³/day from 4.27bn ft³/day, the EIA said.

Dale Lunan