- Natural Gas Consumption refers to the total amount of natural gas used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes.
U.S. Natural Gas Consumption was 886.5 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 0.8% on 2022. The Natural Gas Consumption dataset of the U.S. from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s natural gas demand patterns, highlighting consumption trends, market dynamics, and changes across the natural gas sector. Measured in billion cubic metres (bcm), the dataset represents the total annual volume of natural gas consumed.
U.S. Natural Gas Consumption moved from 743.6 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 886.5 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+19.2%), an average of +2.2% a year. The series high was 886.5 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the low 740 Billion Cubic Metres in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2017) is 146.5 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was +11.1% in 2018.
Among the 43 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 1 for 2023. It accounts for 22.1% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Billion Cubic Metres | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 886.5 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 879.6 | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 836.4 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 834.5 | −1.9% |
| 2019 | 851 | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 822 | +11.1% |
| 2017 Trough | 740 | −1.2% |
| 2016 | 749.1 | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 743.6 | — |
Regional context
Natural Gas Consumption by country, 2023, Billion Cubic Metres. U.S. is highlighted.
Data definition
Natural Gas Consumption — - Natural Gas Consumption refers to the total amount of natural gas used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the demand for natural gas across electricity generation, industrial operations, residential and commercial heating, transportation, and other applications. This indicator reflects a country's dependence on natural gas as an energy source, the development of gas infrastructure, and overall energy demand patterns. Natural Gas Consumption is widely used to evaluate energy security, fuel diversification, economic activity, and trends in natural gas utilization across countries.
The data includes domestic consumption of natural gas supplied through pipeline networks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, and domestically produced gas used across various sectors. It covers natural gas consumption for electricity and heat generation, industrial processes, manufacturing, residential heating, commercial applications, transportation, and other energy uses. It may also include non-energy uses such as natural gas used as a feedstock in petrochemical and fertilizer production where accounted for within national energy balances. The indicator represents total natural gas demand within a country regardless of whether the gas is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, gas utilities, government reports, and standardized international energy databases to enable consistent comparison of consumption trends.
The data excludes natural gas production, reserves, pipeline transmission volumes, storage inventories, and gas losses during extraction, processing, transmission, and distribution unless specifically included in national accounting methodologies. It does not include consumption of natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, coal, refined petroleum products, renewable gases, or synthetic gases unless classified as natural gas within reporting frameworks. The indicator does not measure energy efficiency, affordability, access to gas services, or the environmental impact associated with natural gas use. Differences in national reporting practices, gas quality standards, conversion factors, and estimation methods may result in minor variations in reported consumption values across countries.
Natural Gas Consumption — - Natural Gas Consumption refers to the total amount of natural gas used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the demand for natural gas across electricity generation, industrial operations, residential and commercial heating, transportation, and other applications. This indicator reflects a country's dependence on natural gas as an energy source, the development of gas infrastructure, and overall energy demand patterns. Natural Gas Consumption is widely used to evaluate energy security, fuel diversification, economic activity, and trends in natural gas utilization across countries.
It serves as an important indicator of energy demand, electricity generation requirements, industrial utilization, residential and commercial consumption, and the role of natural gas within the country’s overall energy system.
The U.S. consumed 743.6 bcm of natural gas in 2015, increasing to 749.1 bcm in 2016 before declining slightly to 740 bcm in 2017. Consumption increased significantly to 822 bcm in 2018 and reached 851 bcm in 2019. Demand declined to 834.5 bcm in 2020 before recovering to 836.4 bcm in 2021. Consumption further increased to 879.6 bcm in 2022 and reached a review-period high of 886.5 bcm in 2023, reflecting strong demand from power generation, industrial applications, and other end-use sectors.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a gradual increase in U.S. natural gas consumption between 2015 and 2023, despite temporary fluctuations during the review period. The growth was supported by rising electricity demand, increased utilization of natural gas-fired power plants, industrial expansion, and continued availability of domestic natural gas resources. The recovery after 2020 indicates strengthening energy demand and changing consumption patterns across major economic sectors.
The dataset is valuable for analyzing U.S. natural gas demand trends, evaluating supply-demand dynamics, and assessing future market opportunities. It supports energy planning, infrastructure development, investment analysis, and policy evaluation while providing insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, analysts, and policymakers monitoring natural gas consumption patterns, energy security, and the evolving role of natural gas in the U.S. energy landscape.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
Definition- Natural Gas Consumption refers to the total amount of natural gas used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the demand for natural gas across electricity generation, industrial operations, residential and commercial heating, transportation, and other applications. This indicator reflects a country's dependence on natural gas as an energy source, the development of gas infrastructure, and overall energy demand patterns. Natural Gas Consumption is widely used to evaluate energy security, fuel diversification, economic activity, and trends in natural gas utilization across countries.
U.S. Natural Gas Consumption was 886.5 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 0.8% on 2022.
U.S. Natural Gas Consumption moved from 743.6 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 886.5 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+19.2%), an average of +2.2% a year. The series high was 886.5 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the low 740 Billion Cubic Metres in 2017.
The highest value was 886.5 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the lowest was 740 Billion Cubic Metres in 2017.
Included: The data includes domestic consumption of natural gas supplied through pipeline networks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, and domestically produced gas used across various sectors. It covers natural gas consumption for electricity and heat generation, industrial processes, manufacturing, residential heating, commercial applications, transportation, and other energy uses. It may also include non-energy uses such as natural gas used as a feedstock in petrochemical and fertilizer production where accounted for within national energy balances. The indicator represents total natural gas demand within a country regardless of whether the gas is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, gas utilities, government reports, and standardized international energy databases to enable consistent comparison of consumption trends. Excluded: The data excludes natural gas production, reserves, pipeline transmission volumes, storage inventories, and gas losses during extraction, processing, transmission, and distribution unless specifically included in national accounting methodologies. It does not include consumption of natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, coal, refined petroleum products, renewable gases, or synthetic gases unless classified as natural gas within reporting frameworks. The indicator does not measure energy efficiency, affordability, access to gas services, or the environmental impact associated with natural gas use. Differences in national reporting practices, gas quality standards, conversion factors, and estimation methods may result in minor variations in reported consumption values across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.