The United States is entering a significant period of natural gas pipeline infrastructure expansion, with roughly 44.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of new capacity expected to come online during 2026 and 2027, according to the latest Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Tracker published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Texas dominates the buildout, contributing more than 66% of total planned capacity additions, equivalent to approximately 29.7 Bcf/d. The state's central role reflects its position as the nation's leading natural gas producer and a critical hub for both domestic distribution and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export operations along the Gulf Coast. Louisiana ranks second, accounting for approximately 19% of planned additions, or 8.4 Bcf/d, further reinforcing the Gulf Coast corridor as the backbone of U.S. natural gas transmission infrastructure.
Of the total planned capacity, around 70%—equivalent to 31.6 Bcf/d—is already under active construction, suggesting a relatively low risk of significant project delays. The remaining capacity is at various earlier stages of development and permitting.
For power system professionals, this expansion carries important implications. Growing pipeline throughput capacity directly supports fuel supply reliability for gas-fired generation, which continues to serve as a primary balancing resource for variable renewable energy sources across multiple regional transmission organizations. Enhanced takeaway capacity from prolific production basins in Texas also helps moderate regional basis differentials, potentially stabilizing fuel costs for gas-dependent generators.
As LNG export demand intensifies and domestic power sector gas consumption rises alongside data center and industrial load growth, this pipeline buildout represents a foundational investment in the reliability of the broader North American energy system.
