In September 2017, for the fourth consecutive month, dry natural gas production increased year-to-year from the same month a year ago. The preliminary level for dry natural gas production in September 2017 was 2,250 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 75.0 Bcf/day. This level was 3.1 Bcf/day (4.3%) higher than the September 2016 level of 71.9 Bcf/day. Dry natural gas production for September was the highest for the month since EIA began tracking monthly dry production in 1973. The estimated natural gas consumption level in September 2017 was 1,930 Bcf, or 64.3 Bcf/day. This level was 1.1% (0.7 Bcf/day) lower than the 1,951 Bcf consumed in September 2016. Despite this decrease, natural gas consumption for September was the second-highest level for the month since EIA began tracking monthly consumption using the current methodology in 2001. Year-over-year total consumption of dry natural gas in September 2017 increased in three of the four consuming sectors, with the exception being electric power deliveries, which decreased year-over-year.  Deliveries of natural gas by consuming sector in September 2017 were as follows:
  • Residential deliveries in September 2017 were 115 Bcf, or 3.8 Bcf/day, up 4.5% from 3.7 Bcf/day in September 2016. Residential deliveries were the third lowest for September since EIA began tracking them in 1973.
  • Commercial deliveries in September 2017 were 146 Bcf, or 4.9 Bcf/day, up 2.8% from 4.7 Bcf/day in September 2016. Commercial deliveries were the third highest for September since EIA began tracking them in 1973.
  • Industrial deliveries were 613 Bcf, or 20.4 Bcf/day, up 1.5% from 20.1 Bcf/day in September 2016. Industrial deliveries were the highest for September since EIA began using the current definitions for consuming sectors in 2001.
  • Electric power deliveries were 869 Bcf, or 29.0 Bcf/day, down 5.0% from 30.5 Bcf/day in September 2016.
 Natural gas net imports (imports minus exports) were -18.9 Bcf, or -0.6 Bcf/day, in September 2017.  Total imports were 7.7 Bcf/day, a decrease of 3.8% from the 8.0 Bcf/day in September 2016.  Total exports were 8.3 Bcf/day, an increase of 23.0% from the 6.7 Bcf/day in September 2016.  The increase in exports continues to be driven by liquefied natural gas (LNG).  LNG exports in September 2017 were 225.6% higher than in September 2016.  In September 2017, the United States exported 1.8 Bcf/day of LNG to nine different countries.