Natural Gas Storage: +87 Bcf

Build outperforms historical benchmarks and consensus market expectations.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a weekly injection of 87 Billion Cubic Feet (Bcf) in Lower 48 natural gas storage inventories for the week ending October 17, 2025 (Link).  Total inventories now stand at 3,808 Bcf, 34 Bcf (0.9%) above year-ago levels and 164 Bcf (4.5%) above the 2020-2024 average for the same week. 

Natural gas storage levels increased by 87 Bcf during the second full week of October. The build came in stronger than the year-ago build, adding to the narrow surplus to that benchmark, bringing inventories to 34 Bcf above this same point in 2024. Additionally, after lagging the five-year average for four consecutive weeks, today’s number eclipsed the average build for the same week, widening that surplus back to 164 Bcf. Today’s announced injection was bolstered by an especially large build into Salt storage in the South Central. These inventories increased by 17 Bcf, which is the most since the week ended June 27.