U.S. ethane production, consumption, and exports set new records in 2024
U.S. ethane production, consumption, and exports reached record highs in 2024, according to recent data from our Petroleum Supply Monthly. Increasing ethane recovery associated with natural gas production and continued growth in the domestic and global petrochemical sectors drove these increases.
U.S. propane exports have increased every year since 2007
U.S. propane exports averaged a record 1.8 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2024, the most since we began collecting this data in 1973. U.S. propane exports increased for each of the last 17 years, with growth driven by higher demand in East Asia, mainly China, and a widening propane price differential between U.S. and global benchmarks.
U.S. battery capacity increased 66% in 2024
In the United States, cumulative utility–scale battery storage capacity exceeded 26 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, according to our January 2025 Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. Generators added 10.4 GW of new battery storage capacity in 2024, the second–largest generating capacity addition after solar. Even though battery storage capacity is growing fast, in 2024 it was only 2% of the 1,230 GW of utility–scale electricity generating capacity in the United States.
U.S. natural gas–directed rigs decreased for second consecutive year in 2024
The number of rigs deployed to drill for natural gas in the United States decreased over the last two years. U.S. natural gas–directed rigs decreased 32% (50 rigs) between December 2022 and December 2024. This decline has been concentrated in the natural gas–rich Haynesville and Appalachia regions, where the combined natural gas rig count declined by 34% during 2023 (43 rigs) and by 24% during 2024 (21 rigs). The decline in drilling rigs coincides with record–low natural gas prices for most of 2024 and the wider adoption of advanced drilling and completion technologies.