U.S. natural gas prices fell below $2.78 per million British thermal units to a three-week low after utilities added 40 billion cubic feet to storage in the week ended September 4, 2026. The build exceeded expectations for 31 bcf and lifted inventories to 3.254 trillion cubic feet, 4.8% above the five-year average but 2.4% below the year-earlier level. Production in the Lower 48 averaged 112.9 billion cubic feet per day in September, above August's monthly high, reinforcing concerns about ample supply. Above-average temperatures in the South and Southeast and increased deliveries to major liquefied natural gas export facilities provided demand support. European and Asian buyers are seeking U.S. LNG as alternatives to disrupted Middle Eastern supplies and ahead of winter.