US Natural Gas Production Surges to Record 118.5 Bcf/d, Driving Field Service Demand
According to World Oil, US marketed natural gas production reached a record 118.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2025, jumping 5.3 Bcf/d from the previous year based on the latest Energy Information Administration data. Three major regions drove 81% of this growth: the Permian basin (up 2.7 Bcf/d), Appalachia (up 1.1 Bcf/d following Mountain Valley Pipeline startup), and the Haynesville shale (up 4%).
The Permian basin led growth despite oil prices dropping from $77/barrel in 2024 to $65/barrel in 2025, with operators maintaining drilling activity above breakeven prices of around $61-62/barrel.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Sustained drilling demand across three major regions means continued work for drilling, completion, and production services despite lower commodity prices
- Pipeline infrastructure growth like Mountain Valley Pipeline creates new opportunities for construction, maintenance, and facility services in previously constrained areas
- Associated gas production from oil drilling in the Permian provides steady work even during oil price volatility, offering more predictable revenue streams
