Heating demand could prove stronger this winter than last, given National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts for colder temperatures in northern markets. But robust production levels this fall should help the market meet demand and could help keep consumer prices from rising more than they already did this year.

That assessment is according to the American Gas Association’s (AGA) winter outlook, delivered to reporters during a press briefing Monday. The AGA noted that production reached record levels in early October, following robust summer demand that sent both natural gas futures and cash prices to near 14-year highs around $9.00/MMBtu. Output topped 102 Bcf and reached an all-time high this month, according to Bloomberg data, and it has consistently held around 100 Bcf/d this...