U.S. Underground Natural Gas Storage Capacity Increased Slightly in 2025: EIA Delineates Demonstrated Peak Capacity and Working Gas Design Capacity

       Back in late May, the EIA published its 2025 annual report of changes in underground natural gas storage capacity in the U.S. and in the different regions of the U.S. The EIA uses two different metrics to measure underground natural gas storage capacity: demonstrated peak capacity and working gas design capacity. The EIA reported:

“The first metric—demonstrated peak capacity—rose 0.1%, or 6 billion cubic feet (Bcf), in 2025, reflecting increased use of natural gas storage due to market conditions. The second metric—working gas design capacity—rose 0.6%, or 26 Bcf, in 2025. Underground natural gas storage capacity continues to play an important role in balancing energy needs in the United States, regardless of how it is measured.”

     Below is the EIA explaining its methodology for the two metrics:

     Below are graphs from the EIA’s report showing where capacity was added in 2025 and by how much, followed by graphs of design capacity, design capacity change, demonstrated capacity, and demonstrated capacity change.

     The graph below shows all natural gas storage facilities in the U.S. as of April 2026. It is from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a part of the Department of Transportation.

References:

 

Underground Natural Gas Working Storage Capacity. EIA. May 21, 2026. Underground Natural Gas Working Storage Capacity - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)