Frequently Asked Questions
How much natural gas does the United States have and how long will it last?
EIA estimates that there are 2,203 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas that is technically recoverable in the United States. At the rate of U.S. natural gas consumption in 2011 of about 24 Tcf per year, 2,203 Tcf of natural gas is enough to last about 92 years.
1Technically recoverable reserves consist of "proved reserves" and "unproved resources." Proved reserves of crude oil and natural gas are the estimated volumes expected to be produced, with reasonable certainty, under existing economic and operating conditions. Unproved resources are additional volumes estimated to be technically recoverable without consideration of economics or operating conditions, based on the application of current technology.
Learn more:
Technically recoverable natural gas resources reflect updated assessments (slide 10)
Geology and Technology Drive Estimate of Technically Recoverable Resources
Annual Energy Outlook 2012: Issues in Focus: U.S. crude oil and natural gas resource uncertainty
Annual Energy Outlook: Shale gas provides largest source of growth in U.S. natural gas supply
Natural Gas Consumption by End-Use
What is shale gas and why is it important?
Last updated: August 29, 2012
Other FAQs about Natural Gas
- Can I obtain a list of companies involved in the natural gas industry, such as utilities, pipeline companies, and storage operators?
- Does EIA have city or county-level energy consumption and price data?
- Does EIA have maps or information on the location of natural gas and oil pipelines?
- How can I choose my natural gas supplier in my state?
- How does EIA calculate the year-ago and five-year averages in the Natural Gas Weekly Storage Report?
- How much coal, natural gas, or petroleum is used to generate a kilowatt-hour of electricity?
- How much does it cost to produce crude oil and natural gas?
- How much natural gas does the United States have and how long will it last?
- How much natural gas is consumed (used) in the U.S.?
- What are Mcf, Btu, and therms? How do I convert prices in Mcf to Btus and therms?
- What are the major factors affecting natural gas prices?
- What is the average cost of natural gas used for electric power generation?
- What is the outlook for home heating fuel prices this winter?
- What is the total working gas capacity in underground natural gas storage?
- What is the volume of world natural gas reserves?
- What percentage of homes in the U.S. use natural gas?
- What types and amounts of energy are produced in each state?
- Where are the historical spot prices for natural gas?
- Where can I find international prices for natural gas?
- Where can I find shale gas and coal bed methane production and reserves data?
- Where is the boundary for state and federal offshore oil and gas production?
- Which states consume and produce the most natural gas?
- Why am I being charged more for propane than the price on EIA's website?