Working natural gas in storage in the Lower 48 states as of March 31, the traditional end of the heating season (November 1–March 31), totaled 1,137 billion cubic feet (Bcf) according to EIA’s Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report released on April 11. As of March 31, working natural gas stocks were 491 Bcf (30%) lower than the five-year (2014–18) average for the end of the heating season. This heating season ended at the lowest level for working natural gas stocks since 2014, when working natural gas stocks totaled 837 Bcf. Last year, working natural gas stocks ended the winter at 1,360 Bcf.
Working natural gas stocks totaled 3,198 Bcf entering the winter heating season in November 2018—their lowest levels since 2005―and declined during the winter at a rate consistent with historical trends. Net withdrawals from storage during the 2018―19 heating season were 2,061 Bcf—5% below the five-year average for the season. The 2018–19 U.S. heating season was characterized by periods of significantly colder-than-normal temperatures—particularly in the Upper Midwest—that resulted in substantial natural gas storage withdrawals, as well as periods of lower-than-average withdrawals from storage.