Natural Gas Storage: -242 Bcf
EIA announces largest draw of the season, reflecting the early onset of the cold snap.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a weekly withdrawal of 242 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in Lower 48 natural gas storage inventories for the week ending January 23, 2026 (Link). Total inventories now stand at 2,823 Bcf, 206 Bcf (7.9%) above year-ago levels and 143 Bcf (5.3%) above the 2021-2025 average for the same week.
Storage inventories declined by 242 Bcf during the week ended January 23, marking the largest weekly withdrawal of the season so far. The draw came in larger than the five-year average of 208 Bcf for the same week, narrowing the surplus to that benchmark. The corresponding week in 2025 was the coldest of last winter and saw a draw of 307 Bcf. As a result, inventories moved to a surplus of more than 200 Bcf relative to year-ago storage levels, which is the widest gap since 2024.
