Developers are set to introduce approximately 44.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of new natural gas pipeline capacity across the United States in 2026 and 2027, with the majority originating from Texas. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Tracker, over 66% of this new capacity, amounting to 29.7 Bcf/d, is planned for Texas. Another 19%, or 8.4 Bcf/d, is slated for Louisiana, making these two states the primary hubs for planned pipeline expansion.
These projects in Texas are designed to enhance the capacity for moving natural gas out of the Permian Basin and to alleviate congestion at the Waha Hub. The increased capacity will serve multiple markets, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals, as well as residential, power generation, and industrial consumers.
Several significant pipeline projects are currently under construction and expected to become operational soon. The Rio Bravo Pipeline Project, a 138-mile line originating in Texas, will have a capacity of up to 4.5 Bcf/d and is intended to supply NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG export terminal, with an in-service target for the second half of the current year. Additionally, the Blackcomb pipeline, a 365-mile, 2.5 Bcf/d project, is under construction and scheduled for service in the third quarter of 2026. This pipeline will transport Permian supply from the Waha hub to the Agua Dulce hub, further easing bottlenecks.
Another notable project is the Hugh Brinson Project, which will add a total of 2.2 Bcf/d in takeaway capacity from the Permian Basin in Texas. Phase 1 of this project is anticipated to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by Phase 2 in the first quarter of 2027.
In Louisiana, the Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector is expected to begin operations in the latter half of 2026, offering 2.0 Bcf/d of capacity. By the close of 2027, the Pelican Pipeline is also scheduled to come online in Louisiana, contributing an additional 8.4 Bcf/d to the state's total capacity.
Virginia ranks third in terms of planned capacity additions over the next two years, with 1.6 Bcf/d expected to be operational in 2027. This capacity will come from Williams’s Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, an expansion of its existing Transcontinental Pipeline that runs from Virginia to Alabama.
