The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a weekly injection of 15 billion cubic feet (Bcf) into Lower 48 natural gas storage inventories for the week ending August 21, 2026 (Link). Total inventories now stand at 3,184 Bcf, 30 Bcf (0.9%) below year-ago levels and 167 Bcf (5.5%) above the 2021-2025 average for the same week.
The 15-Bcf net storage build reported this morning by the EIA marked the second straight injection to lag both last year and the five-year average, widening the year-over-year deficit while narrowing the surplus to the five-year benchmark. A 20-Bcf draw from Salt storage in the South Central was the primary driver behind the small overall addition. Inventories were little changed across the Mountain and Pacific regions, while the East and Midwest posted sizable builds. Despite another light injection, inventories remain in healthy shape heading into the next stretch of the injection season.
