EIA: Texas to Lead 45 Bcf/d in U.S. Gas Pipeline Growth

SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) – U.S. natural gas pipeline capacity is expected to increase by almost 45 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) through 2027, with the bulk of the expansion originating in Texas, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said Tuesday (5/26).

Approximately 70%, or 31.6 Bcf/d, of the new capacity is already under construction and more than 66%, or 29.7 Bcf/d, of the additions will begin in Texas, according to the EIA’s Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Tracker.

The projects in Texas will provide additional takeaway capacity out of the Permian Basin and debottleneck the Waha Hub. These will supply natural gas to LNG export terminals, as well as residential, power, and industrial users.

Key additions include the 138-mile Rio Bravo Pipeline Project originating in Texas with a capacity of up to 4.5 Bcf/d. That will deliver feedgas to NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG export terminal, targeting an in-service date in the second half of this year.

The 365-mile, 2.5 Bcf/d Blackcomb pipeline is currently under construction and slated to enter service in the third quarter 2026. The pipeline will deliver Permian supply from the Waha hub to the Agua Dulce hub, further clearing the Waha bottleneck.

The Hugh Brinson Project will add a total 2.2 Bcf/d of takeaway capacity from the Permian Basin. The developer expects phase 1 to begin flowing in the fourth quarter of 2026, and phase 2 in the first quarter of 2027.

In Louisiana, the Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector is expected to begin service in the second half of 2026 with 2.0 Bcf/d of capacity. By the end of 2027, the Pelican Pipeline is expected to come online, bringing additional capacity there to 8.4 Bcf/d.