Skip to main content
← All News

Energy · November 5, 2026 · 2 min read

EIA reports 77 Bcf gas storage increase; stocks above average but below last year

By Econ Data Tools Editorial Team

Published November 5, 2026 • Updated November 5, 2026

Lower 48 working gas reached 3,801 Bcf for October 30. Regional comparisons differ, and the storage release is not a winter price or supply guarantee.

EIA reported on November 5 that working natural gas in underground storage in the Lower 48 states stood at 3,801 billion cubic feet, or Bcf, for the week ending October 30. The estimated weekly increase was 77 Bcf from 3,724 Bcf the previous week. These are storage estimates, not a measure of gas production alone. The total was 54 Bcf, or 1.4%, above the 2021-2025 five-year average of 3,747 Bcf. It was also 109 Bcf, or 2.8%, below the corresponding year-earlier total of 3,910 Bcf. Above the historical average therefore does not mean above last year. South Central storage increased by 40 Bcf to 1,208 Bcf, with 22 Bcf added in salt facilities and 18 Bcf in nonsalt facilities. The Midwest added 23 Bcf to 1,111 Bcf, and the East added 13 Bcf to 926 Bcf. Mountain storage increased by 2 Bcf to 260 Bcf, while Pacific storage fell by 1 Bcf to 296 Bcf. The national comparison also masks regional differences. South Central stocks were 1.1% below their five-year average, while Pacific stocks were 4.6% above their own benchmark despite the weekly withdrawal. The regions should not all be described as having the same surplus or shortage. EIA places total working gas within the five-year historical range. Its report also includes sampling variability: the total stock estimate has a 0.4% coefficient of variation and the weekly net change has a standard error of 1.1 Bcf. The figures are estimates rather than an exact physical count at every facility. The release establishes how reported storage compares with the prior week and historical benchmarks. It does not establish a guaranteed winter supply cushion, a future household utility bill or a Federal Reserve policy outcome. Weather, future flows and regional conditions can change after the reporting week.

Sources

Related News

Energy lifts OECD September inflation to 4.5%; core remains broadly stable

The OECD's November 6 release puts September energy inflation at 17.4% and core inflation at 3.7%. Country patterns differ, and cumulative post-2019 price increases are not annual inflation rates.

Berkshire quarterly operating earnings fall as buybacks reach $9.6 billion

Operating earnings fell to $12.705 billion in Q3 while nine-month earnings rose. Berkshire separates those non-GAAP results from investment gains and reports approximately $9.6 billion of quarterly share repurchases.

China approves lithium hydroxide futures and options; trading date not announced

The CSRC's November 6 notice clears registration on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange. The approval is a step toward launch, not confirmation that trading has started or a forecast of battery prices.