Consumption of natural gas in the United States amounted to 32.51 trillion cubic feet in 2021. This was a record high, up from 30.65 trillion cubic feet in 2020. Natural gas consumption increased consistently from 2009 to 2019, after over a decade of fluctuation from 1995 to 2008, before decreasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. High demand for natural gas Natural gas is a colorless, odorless fossil fuel that comes from underground rock formations. It is typically used in the United States to generate electricity and heat homes. The electric power sector is responsible for the largest share of natural gas consumption in the U.S., followed closely by the industrial sector. Consumption of natural gas by the electric power sector has doubled since 2005, but remained lower than industrial sector consumption until 2012. Fossil fuel consumption overall Natural gas has the second-highest rate of consumption in the United States following petroleum. After the 2008 Recession, consumption of natural gas has increased more than any other energy source. The use of coal, however, decreased significantly in the past decade as natural gas is seen as a lower-emission alternative and more cost-effective.

Graph and download economic data for Natural Gas Consumption (NATURALGAS) from Jan 2000 to Apr 2025 about gas, consumption, and USA.

The electric power sector accounted with the largest share of natural gas consumption in the United States in 2023, with a consumption volume of 12.9 trillion cubic feet. Closely following, the industrial sector consumed over 10.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas that year. By comparison, the transportation sector had the smallest share of natural gas consumption in the U.S.

Key information about United States Natural Gas: Consumption

• United States Natural Gas: Consumption was reported at 85.768 Cub ft/Day bn in Dec 2023
• This records an increase from the previous number of 85.102 Cub ft/Day bn for Dec 2022
• US Natural Gas: Consumption data is updated yearly, averaging 57.451 Cub ft/Day bn from Dec 1965 to 2023, with 59 observations
• The data reached an all-time high of 85.768 Cub ft/Day bn in 2023 and a record low of 40.241 Cub ft/Day bn in 1965
• US Natural Gas: Consumption data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by BP PLC
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Association: Energy Sector – Table RB.BP.NS: Natural Gas: Consumption

In 2023, natural gas consumption in the United States amounted to around 887 billion cubic meters, up from nearly 880 billion cubic meters one year earlier and the highest value recorded within the period of consideration. Between 1998 and 2023, natural gas consumption in the U.S. increased by almost 284 billion cubic meters.

Texas is the largest natural gas consuming state in the U.S. In 2022, it had an annual gas consumption of 4.97 quadrillion British thermal units. Ranking second, California exhausted less than half that amount. Louisiana rounded out the top three of leading gas consuming states.

The power sector is the greatest end user of natural gas in the United States. In 2024, the power sector had a natural gas demand of 36.7 billion cubic feet per day. This figure was nearly double the demand volume reported in 2008, with natural gas having become the largest source for electricity generation in the U.S. Other notable changes in end use have been observed for LNG exports. The U.S. began exporting LNG in 2016 and natural gas demand for LNG exports has since grown to 12 billion cubic feet per day.

United States Natural Gas Consumption: Wyoming data was reported at 172,378.000 Cub ft mn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 162,997.000 Cub ft mn for 2022. United States Natural Gas Consumption: Wyoming data is updated yearly, averaging 140,912.000 Cub ft mn from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2023, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 172,378.000 Cub ft mn in 2023 and a record low of 96,726.000 Cub ft mn in 1999. United States Natural Gas Consumption: Wyoming data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB014: Natural Gas Consumption: by State: Annual.

Data and statistics on natural gas prices, exploration and reserves, production, imports and exports, storage, pipelines, and consumption. Data released on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. International data on natural gas production, consumption, imports and exports, CO2 emissions, and reserves.

All available data collected from EIA U.S. Natural Gas Total Consumption series (series NG.N9140US2.M) the first of every month. An additional month - one step ahead of the final month in the series NG.N9140US2.M - collected from EIA's short-term energy forecast U.S. Natural Gas Consumption series (series STEO.NGTCPUS.M).

This data is collected by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) available here (http://www.eia.gov/opendata/qb.cfm?category=480324&sdid=NG.N9140US2.M) available here (http://www.eia.gov/opendata/qb.cfm?category=1039914&sdid=STEO.NGTCPUS.M) (one-month ahead forecast from last data point collected from series id NG.N9140US2.M).

2010 Natural Gas consumption in therms and GJ, by ZIP code, building type, and utility company.

United States Natural Gas Consumption: Consumers: Industrial data was reported at 655.334 Cub ft bn in Aug 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 652.066 Cub ft bn for Jul 2018. United States Natural Gas Consumption: Consumers: Industrial data is updated monthly, averaging 596.181 Cub ft bn from Jan 2001 (Median) to Aug 2018, with 212 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 770.106 Cub ft bn in Jan 2018 and a record low of 459.110 Cub ft bn in Jun 2009. United States Natural Gas Consumption: Consumers: Industrial data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB011: Natural Gas Consumption.

The report covers US Natural Gas Demand and it is segmented by Type (Wet Natural Gas and Dry Natural Gas) and End Use (Power Generation, Automotive, Residential, and Industries). The report offers the natural gas consumption and forecasts in units (billion cubic meters) for all the above segments.

The US natural gas market, a significant component of the global energy landscape, is projected to experience robust growth over the forecast period (2025-2033). Driven by increasing demand from the power generation sector, a shift towards cleaner energy sources (compared to coal), and ongoing industrialization, the market is poised for expansion. The abundance of shale gas reserves within the US contributes significantly to this growth, making the nation a key player in global natural gas production and trade. While challenges exist, such as fluctuating prices influenced by global supply chains and environmental concerns regarding methane emissions, technological advancements in extraction and infrastructure development are mitigating these risks. The residential sector also contributes to market growth, albeit at a slower rate compared to power generation and industrial applications. Competition among major players like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, fuels innovation and efficiency improvements within the industry. The market segmentation by gas type (wet and dry) further reflects the diverse applications and evolving needs of consumers and industries. Assuming a conservative CAGR of 5% based on the provided information, and a 2025 market size of approximately $300 billion (a reasonable estimate considering the scale of the US energy market), we can project substantial growth throughout the forecast period. Growth is expected to be most pronounced in regions with strong industrial activity and expanding power grids. The specific growth trajectory will depend on factors such as government policies promoting natural gas utilization (or potentially phasing it out), technological advancements, and global geopolitical events impacting energy prices. Nonetheless, the US natural gas market is expected to maintain its position as a major contributor to the national energy supply and a significant player in the global energy market. Further analysis of specific segments (e.g., wet vs. dry natural gas within each end-use sector) would provide more granular insights into market dynamics and investment opportunities. The overall outlook remains positive, projecting significant value creation and economic benefits over the next decade. Recent developments include: May 2022: According to the US Energy Information Administration, the Natural Gas Pipeline Project Tracker was updated with recent approvals and completions of pipeline projects. As of the end of the first quarter of 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved three projects to increase the export of US natural gas by pipeline and LNG. FERC approved two projects connecting LNG terminals in Louisiana. The Evangeline Pass Expansion Project, owned by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, is 1.1 billion cubic feet in size. It is intended that the proposed Plaquemines LNG Project in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, be supplied with natural gas by constructing 13.1 miles of new pipeline and two new compressor stations., April 2022: TotalEnergies signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Sempra Infrastructure, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and Japan LNG Investment for the expansion of Cameron LNG, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and export facility located in Louisiana, United States. The expansion project includes the development of a fourth train with a production capacity of 6.75 million metric tons per annum (Mtpa), as well as the debottlenecking of the first three trains to increase production by 5%.. Notable trends are: Power Generation Segment to Dominate the Market.

The USA: Natural gas consumption: The latest value from 2023 is 33.683 quadrillion Btu, an increase from 33.379 quadrillion Btu in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 0.788 quadrillion Btu, based on data from 189 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1980 to 2023 is 23.679 quadrillion Btu. The minimum value, 16.591 quadrillion Btu, was reached in 1986 while the maximum of 33.683 quadrillion Btu was recorded in 2023.

In 2023, approximately 14.45 trillion cubic feet of natural gas were consumed for electricity generation and useful thermal output in the United States. This was the highest figure in the period of consideration.

United States Natural Gas Consumption: Virginia data was reported at 629,414.000 Cub ft mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 634,882.000 Cub ft mn for 2022. United States Natural Gas Consumption: Virginia data is updated yearly, averaging 373,444.000 Cub ft mn from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2023, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 713,443.000 Cub ft mn in 2020 and a record low of 237,853.000 Cub ft mn in 2001. United States Natural Gas Consumption: Virginia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB014: Natural Gas Consumption: by State: Annual.

Worldwide natural gas consumption has stagnated over the past three years. In 2023, natural gas consumption worldwide amounted to roughly ************* cubic meters. What is natural gas? Natural gas is a mixture of gases, primarily methane. Consisting mostly of hydrocarbons, it is found in deposits called reservoirs beneath the surface of the Earth. Natural gas is considered the Earth’s cleanest fossil fuel because it produces carbon dioxide, water vapor, and small amounts of nitrogen oxides when it is burned. In its natural state, natural gas is colorless and odorless. It is used commonly in residential, commercial, and industrial applications, such as heating and electricity generation. Although it is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, natural gas development has resulted in the increase of hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking), a controversial and environmentally damaging extraction method. Natural gas consumption in the United States In 2023, the United States was the leading consumer of natural gas worldwide. Their natural gas consumption has been increasing slightly since 1995, amounting to some ************* cubic feet in 2023. That same year, the industrial sector in the United States consumed the second largest proportion of natural gas of all sectors, second to electricity generation. In the U.S. industrial sector, natural gas is used as a fuel for process heating, heat and power systems, and as a raw material to produce chemicals and fertilizer.

Natural gas consumption in North America amounted to roughly 1.1 trillion cubic meters in 2023, an increase of nearly one percent in comparison to the previous year. Between 1998 and 2023, North America's natural gas consumption increased by nearly 390 billion cubic meters.

Natural Gas Consumption: Hawaii: Consumers: Industrial data was reported at 79.000 Cub ft mn in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 77.000 Cub ft mn for 2023. Natural Gas Consumption: Hawaii: Consumers: Industrial data is updated yearly, averaging 367.500 Cub ft mn from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2024, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 536.000 Cub ft mn in 2000 and a record low of 77.000 Cub ft mn in 2023. Natural Gas Consumption: Hawaii: Consumers: Industrial data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB014: Natural Gas Consumption: by State: Annual.