The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) projections for wellhead natural gas prices, consumption, production and imports in its annual energy outlook report for 2009 turned out to be pretty much on target, according to an agency review.

The statistical arm of the Department of Energy projected that natural gas demand would come in at around 23.04 Tcf for 2009. Actual consumption turned out to be 23.24 Tcf last year, according to the EIA.

The EIA expected domestic gas production to total about 20.48 Tcf in 2009, but output came in at a slightly higher level of 20.57 Tcf.

As for natural gas imports, the agency projected that they would total 3.03 Tcf in 2009. Actual imports were 2.96 Tcf last year, the EIA reported.

The agency’s 2009 projections appeared to be solid for the electricity side as well. Actual electricity sales last year were 3,722 billion kWh. The EIA projected that they would be 3,725 billion kWh in 2009.

It expected electricity prices to average 9.69 cents/kWh. They averaged a slightly higher level of 9.82 cents/kWh, the EIA said.

The EIA also estimated that total energy consumption last year would be 100.5 quadrillion Btu; actual demand came in at 99.3 quadrillion Btu.

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