The astonishing growth of the US gas and oil market has resulted in a surge in new potential for energy production. With the growth expected to continue this year, Mitsubishi has revealed a major development that strengthens the company’s presence in the US energy market. Mitsubishi has now officially entered the US shale gas sector through the new acquisition of Aethon Energy’s Haynesville Shale assets. This marks the largest foreign investment in the US natural gas sector in recent years.
Mitsubishi has made significant entry into the US gas shale market
For the past year or so, the US gas market has seen tremendous growth, driven mostly by a wave of new executive orders aimed at increasing gas and oil production in the United States.
The Haynesville Shale has become strategically important to the US as it provides the basis of growth across the US natural gas market. Mitsubishi has noted that the company has purchased Aethon Energy’s Haynesville Shale assets for $5.2 billion, representing the first major US shale asset purchase for the Japanese giant of industry.
Once all the relevant legal hurdles have been navigated and the transaction is completed, it will be Mitsubishi’s first direct ownership in the United States shale gas production sector. The acquisition also includes the purchase of Aethon III, Aethon United, and several other significant entities.
The Haynesville basin has become the backbone of the US natural gas market in recent years
Due to several factors, such as proximity to the litany of US Gulf Coast LNG terminals, the Haynesville basin has become of extreme importance to the US natural gas market. As part of the acquisition for Mitsubishi are several key assets, including:
- ~2.1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of current gas production
- Significant access to premium pricing linked to US LNG exports
- new proximity to LNG processing terminals in the United States
Mitsubishi is developing an impressive North American portfolio
The acquisition not only positions Mitsubishi at the forefront of a surge in gas and LNG production in the United States but also aligns with the company’s intentions to meet increased gas demand in the Asian market.
By purchasing the substantial assets from Aethon Energy, Mitsubishi has strengthened its presence in the US market. The company’s North American portfolio now includes:
- New partnerships with Ovintiv to advance the Canadian shale market
- additional midstream operations through the Texas-based CIMA Energy
- New LNG export exposure through Cameron LNG and LNG Canada
- Liquefaction capacity rights through the aforementioned Cameron LNG under tolling agreements
- Potential power generation assets through Diamond Generating
The fact that Mitsubishi has entered the US shale sector represents the company’s confidence in the US energy sector. With institutional investors expanding their presence in the US, such as Lane42’s asset acquisition in the Permian Basin, the growth across the US energy sector is set to reach new heights in 2026.
“Our country is blessed with extraordinary energy abundance, which we didn’t know of, even five years ago and certainly ten years ago. We have nearly 100 years’ worth of natural gas and more than 250 years’ worth of clean, beautiful coal. We are a top producer of petroleum and the number-one producer of natural gas. We have so much more than we ever thought possible. We are really in the driving seat.” – US President Donald Trump
The US expansion of its gas and LNG market has been a sight for sore eyes
The rapid expansion of the US gas and LNG markets has transformed the US into the number one gas producer by capacity in the world. New potential for growth in the US Gulf Coast through several new storage and pipeline projects has created a paradox for energy companies: either follow the direction of the current administration, or face a year ahead wrought with challenges in meeting expected energy production.
