The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a weekly injection of 85 billion cubic feet (Bcf) into Lower 48 natural gas storage inventories for the week ending October 2, 2026 (Link). Total inventories now stand at 3,500 Bcf, 130 Bcf (3.6%) below year-ago levels and 68 Bcf (2.0%) above the 2021-2025 average for the same week.
This morning’s announced 85-Bcf storage injection marked the largest build since the week ended June 26 as the pace of storage additions continued to accelerate. However, the injection still fell short of the five-year average of 96 Bcf for the same week, narrowing the surplus for the eighth consecutive week. At 68 Bcf, the cushion above the five-year average is now the smallest since March. This marked the second consecutive report to show a larger injection than the corresponding week in 2025, narrowing the deficit to year-ago levels to 130 Bcf after that gap expanded to 146 Bcf in mid-September.
