Natural gas output rose 0.3% in June from May, to reach a new monthly record of 68.1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), according to estimates from oil and natural gas analytics and forecasting company Bentek Energy. The new estimates exceed the previous monthly high set in May by about 200 million cubic feet per day. Production peaked on June 27, at a one-day record high of 68.7 Bcf/d. Gas production was up from June 2013 levels by 3.5 Bcf/d, or 5.4%.

Bentek data analysis suggests that 2014 production will average about 67.5 Bcf/d due to a higher overall price environment for producers and growth in liquids-rich basins like the Eagle Ford, Bakken, Permian and Greater Anadarko, as well as increases in dry production in the Marcellus.