The EIA forecasts growth of 1.2% in 2026 and 1.7% in 2027, led by modest gains in manufacturing, particularly in energy-intensive industries like chemicals. However, efficiency improvements continue to limit overall growth by reducing the amount of gas needed per unit of output.
Demand also follows a seasonal pattern, peaking in winter and easing in summer, with the chemicals sector remaining the largest consumer. Overall, consumption has been relatively flat since 2018, but is now supported by a higher baseline from earlier industrial expansion, with steady but moderate growth expected through 2027.
