Natural gas price on Apr 17, 2026 at 5pm EDT?

The U.S. Gulf Coast LNG export capacity will significantly increase by 2026. The region's total operational nameplate LNG export capacity is projected to reach approximately 110.3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by March 31, 2026 ^[1]. This marks a substantial rise from the current U.S. LNG export capacity, which stands at about 87.5 MTPA, equivalent to 11.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) ^[2]. This expansion is driven by the commissioning of new projects and additions to existing infrastructure.

Several key projects drive this substantial expansion of export capacity. Golden Pass LNG Train 3 is anticipated to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2026, contributing 5.2 MTPA to the overall capacity ^[1]. Plaquemines LNG Phase 2 is also slated for full commercial operation by early 2026, or within the first half of 2026, adding 10 MTPA ^[2]. Additionally, the first four trains (Trains 1-4) of Corpus Christi Stage 3 are expected to become operational by Q1 2026, providing an extra 7.6 MTPA to the region's capabilities ^[1].

EQT and Antero have detailed their 2026 production and capital plans. EQT Corporation, a significant dry gas producer in the Appalachian Basin, projects a net production volume for 2026 between 5.75 and 6.03 Bcfe daily. The company's capital expenditures are estimated to range from $2.20 billion to $2.40 billion ^[1]. Antero Resources also plans to maintain a net production of 3.3 Bcf/d, allocating a capital budget between $1.15 billion and $1.25 billion for 2026 ^[2].

Combined, EQT and Antero project significant dry gas production and capital investment. For their Appalachian assets, the aggregated 2026 production guidance for EQT and Antero Resources is anticipated to fall between 9.05 Bcf/d and 9.33 Bcf/d. Their combined capital expenditure plans are projected to be between $3.35 billion and $3.65 billion. Information regarding Chesapeake Energy Corporation's Q4 2025 earnings reports and 2026 guidance was not found within the provided sources. The available sources referencing "Chesapeake" referred specifically to Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, which is a distinct entity ^[3].

Market analysts project significant natural gas storage for March 27, 2026. For the week ending March 27, 2026, the total working gas in underground storage for the Lower 48 states is projected by market analysts to be between 2,185 Bcf and 2,210 Bcf. These forecasts are made ahead of the official U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Natural Gas Storage report, as the EIA typically provides historical and current data rather than future predictions ^[4], ^[5], ^[6], ^[7].

Specific firm forecasts indicate a substantial surplus over historical averages. Energy Edge Consulting projects storage to be around 2,200 Bcf ^[1], while Energy Intelligence suggests figures closer to 2,185 Bcf ^[2], ^[8]. CSFX’s market outlook also points to approximately 2,210 Bcf ^[3]. These projections unanimously indicate a significant surplus compared to the 5-year historical average for the corresponding week, with forecasts ranging from 135 Bcf to 160 Bcf above the average ^[1], ^[2], ^[8], ^[3].

In 2025, U.S. coal-fired power plant retirements will reach a 15-year low. Approximately 4.9 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity is planned for retirement in 2025 ^[1]. Concurrently, developers anticipate adding a substantial 44.2 GW of new utility-scale solar and wind capacity. This total comprises 36.4 GW from solar installations and 7.8 GW from wind projects ^[2].

Renewable capacity additions will continue to significantly outpace coal retirements in 2026. An additional 1.2 GW of coal-fired capacity is projected for retirement in 2026 ^[3]. This contrasts with the 44.0 GW of new utility-scale solar and wind capacity expected to enter service during the full year, consisting of 33.5 GW of solar and 10.5 GW of wind ^[2]. It is important to note that specific figures for planned retirements and additions solely within the first quarter of 2026 are not separately detailed in the available summary sources.

Overall, new utility-scale renewable capacity additions will dwarf coal retirements by 2026. Cumulatively, between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026, 6.1 GW of coal-fired capacity is projected to retire (4.9 GW in 2025 and 1.2 GW in 2026) ^[1]. During this same period, 88.2 GW of new utility-scale solar and wind capacity is expected to be added (44.2 GW in 2025 and 44.0 GW in 2026) ^[2]. This highlights a substantial shift towards renewable energy sources in the U.S. power grid ^[1].

Major investment banks lack specific Q2 2026 Henry Hub natural gas forecasts. Research indicates that Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and J.P. Morgan did not provide explicit Q2 2026 Henry Hub natural gas price predictions within their March 2026 commodity outlook reports. While Goldman Sachs did adjust its Q2 2026 natural gas price forecasts upwards, these revisions specifically applied to the European TTF and Asian JKM benchmarks, not the U.S. Henry Hub ^[1]. Similarly, J.P. Morgan's 2026 outlook focused primarily on updated oil price targets rather than natural gas projections ^[3]. Morgan Stanley had expressed positive sentiment for natural gas, suggesting "further room for natural gas rally" in December 2025; however, this predates the March 2026 reports and does not include a specific Q2 2026 Henry Hub price ^[2]. Consequently, a consensus forecast among these three investment banks for the average Q2 2026 Henry Hub natural gas price cannot be established from the available research.

Government agencies and broader market analysis offer different natural gas outlooks. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), a government agency, did issue a 2026 Henry Hub natural gas price forecast in March 2026, revising it downwards to $3.80 ^[4]. It is important to note that this forecast does not originate from the specified investment banks. Beyond these sources, general market analysis suggests a broader range for 2026 natural gas prices, with analyst estimates potentially spanning from $3.50 to $4.50 per MMBtu or even exceeding $5.00 per MMBtu ^[5]. However, these wider predictions are not specifically attributed to Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, or J.P. Morgan for the Q2 2026 Henry Hub period.