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In-brief analysis
Apr 21, 2026
We estimate the Lower 48 U.S. states began this natural gas injection season (April–October) with 1,890 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of working natural gas in storage, based on interpolated data from our Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report. This level was 3% above the previous five-year (2021–25) average and 3% above last year’s end-of-season storage volume.
In-brief analysis
Apr 20, 2026
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), March 2026
Note: Other estimates derived from the International Energy Agency, China National Bureau of Statistics, Vortexa Analytics, Kayrros, Kpler, Argus Media, and Global Trade Tracker.
In the 1970s, the United States and other OECD countries established strategic oil stocks aimed at mitigating the impact of supply disruptions. In March 2026, the United States, along with other members of the International Energy Agency, agreed to a coordinated emergency release of strategic oil stocks following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
In-brief analysis
Apr 16, 2026
In our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), we forecast that U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports will continue to increase as five LNG export projects start operations and ramp up production by the end of 2027. We also forecast increased natural gas pipeline exports, mainly to Mexico. In our forecast, net exports of U.S. natural gas (exports minus imports) grow 18% to 18.7 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2026. In 2027, net exports increase another 10% to 20.5 Bcf/d.
In-brief analysis
Apr 15, 2026
Repost corrects a labeling error on the map of the United States.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Note: Map includes some partial counties and shows both required and Opt-In RFG areas. In California all counties implement a version of the California Reformulated Gasoline Program, not just those required by the Clean Air Act. Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories are exempt from federal volatility regulations. RVP=Reid Vapor Pressure, RFG=Reformulated Gasoline, SIP=State Implementation Plan, AZ CBG=Arizona Cleaner Burning Gasoline, CA RFG=California Reformulated Gasoline
Motor gasoline in the United States is a blend of hydrocarbons and chemicals, with specific formulas varying by region and season. To meet federal air quality standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state regulators require different formulations, depending on air quality and location, which affect performance, cost, and emissions. In addition, warmer summer months require a different gasoline formulation than cooler winter months. Key differences between formulations include octane rating, volatility—commonly measured as Reid vapor pressure (RVP)—and emissions. This year, the EPA will relax federal enforcement of summer RVP standards to help reduce gasoline prices.
In-brief analysis
Apr 14, 2026
In our April Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), we expect U.S. hydropower generation will increase by 5% in 2026 but remain 1.8% below the 10-year average following snow drought conditions in some states. Hydropower generation in 2025 increased to 245 billion kilowatthours (BkWh), about 4 BkWh more than the record-low generation year 2024. In 2026, we expect generation will be 259 BkWh, which would represent 6% of U.S. electricity generation.
In-brief analysis
Apr 13, 2026
During 2025, the U.S. electric power sector retired 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired generating capacity at four power plants, the least since 2010. At the beginning of 2025, coal plant operators had planned to retire 8.5 GW of capacity; however, 4.8 GW of planned retirements were delayed to a future year, and the operators of two coal plants (1.1 GW) cancelled plans to retire. In addition, the operators of 1.2 GW of capacity planned for retirement in 2027 cancelled their closure plans, and a facility slated to retire in 2026 has delayed its closure until 2029.
In-brief analysis
Apr 10, 2026
Annual motor gasoline consumption in the United States decreased in 2025 even as vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased because of increasing fuel efficiency, a trend we forecast will continue in 2026 and 2027. U.S. motor gasoline consumption averaged 8.9 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2025, 1% less than 2024 and 4% less than pre-pandemic demand in 2019. In our April Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), we estimate that motor gasoline consumption will continue to decline as forecast fuel efficiency increases and VMT growth slows.
In-brief analysis
Apr 8, 2026
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2026, April 2026
Note: Combination case assumes repeal of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 111 rule and greenhouse gas tailpipe emissions rule.
In our Annual Energy Outlook 2026 (AEO2026), we project U.S. dry natural gas production, which accounted for 38% of total U.S. energy production in 2025, will increase significantly over the next several decades, meeting growing domestic and international natural gas demand.
In-brief analysis
Apr 7, 2026
Data source: CME Group, Bloomberg L.P.
Note: The Brent front month futures price typically aligns with the WTI second month price; 1Q26=first quarter of 2026; WTI=West Texas Intermediate
Crude oil and petroleum product prices increased significantly in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26), particularly following military action in the Middle East on February 28 and the subsequent de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In this quarterly update, we review petroleum markets price developments in 1Q26, covering crude oil prices, petroleum product prices, and refinery inputs.
In-brief analysis
Apr 6, 2026
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Company Level Imports
Note: Medium crude oil grades refer to crude oils with an API gravity between 22 degrees and 38 degrees, and sour refers to any crude oil with a sulfur content of 0.5% or greater; Middle East Gulf refers to imports from Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In 2025, the United States imported an average of 490,000 barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil from the Middle East Gulf region—Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Crude oil imports from the region are primarily medium sour grades of crude oil and flow mainly into the West Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States.
In-brief analysis
Apr 2, 2026
Rooftop solar generating capacity in Puerto Rico totaled 1,456 megawatts (MW) at the end of 2025, 20% of the overall capacity mix. Rooftop solar capacity has increased faster than other sources over the past decade. Between 2016 and 2025 rooftop solar installations accounted for 81% of the new generating capacity in Puerto Rico, according to data from our Electric Power Monthly and Puerto Rico Energy Bureau’s (PREB) Quarterly Report on System Data. In 2025, rooftop solar became the second-largest capacity source, after petroleum liquids capacity (3,671 MW), and surpassed natural gas capacity (1,391 MW).
In-brief analysis
Apr 1, 2026
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau
After four years of growth, U.S. coal exports decreased by 16 million short tons (MMst) in 2025, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Exports totaled 93 MMst in 2025, compared with 108 MMst in 2024. Thermal coal exports fell by 18%, and metallurgical coal exports fell by 11%.
In-brief analysis
Mar 31, 2026
U.S. crude oil production grew by 3%, or 350,000 barrels per day (b/d), in 2025, setting a new annual production record of 13.6 million b/d, according to our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). Production from the Lower 48 states excluding the Gulf of America (L48) accounted for 11.3 million b/d, or 83% of the total U.S. crude oil production in 2025. The rest of the production came from Federal Gulf of America (GOA) and Alaska.
In-brief analysis
Mar 30, 2026
Natural gas plant liquids (NGPL) exports reached 3.1 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2025, growing 7% from the previous year. These fuels are primarily extracted from the natural gas stream. NGPL plant production has increased every year since 2005, driven by higher production of NGPLs and more global demand for NGPLs, especially as petrochemical feedstocks.
In-brief analysis
Mar 26, 2026
Data source: Argus Freight
In March 2026, tanker rates for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) leaving the Middle East to Asia were the highest since at least November 2005, when data were first recorded. The price increase followed Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz on March 2.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important chokepoint, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. The physical risk of attacks on vessels attempting to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the high cost of war risk insurance for vessels to do so, drove crude oil tanker rates from the Middle East Gulf to all destinations to record highs.
The high risk and effective closure of the Strait has led to a backup of vessels confined in the Persian Gulf that had already loaded crude oil from various Gulf countries. The confined vessels reduce the availability of global tanker capacity, which increases tanker rates.
Crude oil tanker rates from the Americas, especially the U.S. Gulf Coast, also rose to record highs because of high demand for crude oil and fewer vessels available for shipment.
Clean tanker (used for petroleum products) and natural gas carrier rates have also increased. On March 17, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a temporary waiver for compliance with the Jones Act, which may contribute to additional shifts in global shipping and tanker availability.