U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent
Statistics and Analysis Balancing item: Represents differences
between the sum of the components of natural gas supply and the
sum of the components of natural gas disposition. These
differences may be due to quantities lost or to the effects of
data reporting problems. Reporting problems include differences
due to the net result of conversions off low data metered at
varying temperature and pressure bases and converted to a
standard temperature and pressure base; the effect of variations
in company accounting and billing practices; differences between
billing cycle and calendar period time frames; and imbalances
resulting from the merger of data reporting systems that vary in
scope, format, definitions, and type of respondents. Base
(cushion) gas: The volume of gas needed as a permanent inventory
to maintain adequate reservoir pressures and deliverability
rates throughout the withdrawal season. All native gas is
included in the base gas volume. Briti