U.S. annual natural gas production in 2020 declined 1% year/year and averaged 111.2 billion Bcf/d, a reflection in part of the pullback in drilling activity following the demand destruction and downward pressure on prices caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In releasing its latest 2020 estimate, measured by gross withdrawals, the U.S. Energy Administration (EIA) also on Tuesday noted that a robust increase in production during 2019 resulted in elevated volumes of gas in storage and additional stress on prices early in 2020.

Domestic natural gas production grew by 9.8 Bcf/d, or 10% year/year, in 2019, and averaged 111.5 Bcf/d.

The agency said production volumes reached a 2020 low in May of 106.4 Bcf/d, before gradually recovering in the second half the year. By December, EIA...