Natural gas production in the lower 48 United States increased by 2.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) during the month of December, according to Platts oil and gas analytics unit Bentek Energy. Production averaged 72.8 Bcf/d in December, the highest monthly average on record, and an 11.6% increase (7.5 Bcf/d) over daily average production levels in December 2013.

U.S. production hit another one-day record high of 73.6 Bcf/d on December 20, according to Bentek, and U.S. Northeast production achieved a new one-day record of 19.8 Bcf/d on December 19.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) will publish its domestic production estimates for December on or around February 28, 2015.

"The Northeast region, including the Marcellus and Utica shales, continues to lead the growth in natural gas production," said Catherine Bernardo, manager of energy analysis for Bentek. "The mild weather in December allowed volumes to continue to push higher during a time when production growth is typically curtailed due to freeze-offs. Infrastructure additions to the Northeast in November also facilitated this recent growth."