LNG-exporting Gulf Coast states drove U.S. natural gas demand growth

U.S. natural gas demand (domestic consumption plus gross exports) increased 43%, or 34.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), from 2012 to 2022. Demand in the Gulf Coast states of Louisiana and Texas grew by 116%, or 16.0 Bcf/d, driven largely by increased demand for feedgas for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. U.S. LNG exports began in 2016 with the startup of the Sabine Pass LNG export terminal in Louisiana. Other terminals in both states began exporting LNG soon after, prompting most of the growth in natural gas demand. More »

Two-thirds of North America is at risk of energy shortfalls in high summer heat NERC says

If temperatures spike this summer, parts of the United States could face electricity supply shortages as demand for cooling increases, according to analysis by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The latest summer reliability report from NERC warns that two-thirds of North America is at risk of energy shortfalls this summer during periods of extremely high electricity demand. More »

EIA's weekly natural gas products provide timely natural gas information

We provide daily and weekly information on natural gas market activity and drivers in three weekly products: the Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report, the Natural Gas Storage Dashboard, and the Natural Gas Weekly Update. More »

As solar capacity grows duck curves are getting deeper in California

As more solar capacity has come online in California, grid operators at the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) have observed a drop in net load (or the demand remaining after subtracting variable renewable generation) in the middle of the day when solar generation tends to be highest. When graphed for a typical day, the pattern created by the midday dip in the net load curve, followed by a steep rise in the evenings when solar generation drops off, looks like the outline of a duck, so this pattern is often called a duck curve. As solar capacity in California continues to grow, the midday dip in net load is getting lower, presenting challenges for grid operators. More »

U.S. diesel prices have fallen below prices from before Russia's invasion of Ukraine

U.S. ultra-low sulfur diesel front-month futures prices have declined each month since January 2023 and, as of May, averaged $0.50 per gallon (gal) lower than prices in February 2022, just before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For over a year, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the reaction to it, has disrupted global crude oil and petroleum product markets. More »

Nigeria was the top crude oil producer in Africa but disruptions threaten production

For many years, more crude oil was produced in Nigeria than in any other country in Africa. However, unplanned production outages—or disruptions—in Nigeria have, at times, resulted in its crude oil production falling below that of Angola, the second-highest producing country in Africa. Disruptions remain a significant and persistent downside risk to Nigeria’s crude oil production, according to our updated Country Analysis Brief: Nigeria. More »