Strong underlying demand for natural gas is accelerating pipeline construction in the United States with the greatest capacity addition since the peak of the last shale gas boom in 2008. There are 12 projects for new and expanded natural gas pipelines set to be completed in 2026 in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The added combined capacity of these projects will be approximately 18 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), which exceeds Canada's total daily natural gas consumption.

Key highlights include the following:

-- Strong underlying demand for natural gas in the United States is driving record pipeline capacity additions of 18 Bcf/d in 2026, the highest since 2008 (31 Bcf/d).
-- Strong growth of 20% year over year in associated gas production (from 2014 to 2024) in the Permian Basin also justifies the significant increase in infrastructure investment.
-- The regulatory environment in the U.S. has also supported accelerated energy infrastructure investment by streamlining the approval process.

"Natural gas infrastructure capacity additions in the U.S. will reach record levels in 2026 driven by significant increases in associated gas production, specifically from the Permian Basin; strong underlying demand from liquefied natural gas exporters and data centers; and a supportive regulatory environment," said Nima Billou, Assistant Vice President, Energy, Utilities & Natural Resources at Morningstar DBRS.

Click Here to Read More