The rapid expansion of the US oil and gas sectors has been a sight to behold for even the most seasoned professionals in the energy industry. New data has pointed to a continuation of the boom in new oil and gas production in the United States, led by several new and existing pipelines. The Gulf Coast is currently embroiled in the largest expansion of natural gas pipeline capacity since the remarkable 2008 shale boom, and 2026 has revealed that the boom is far from over.
The US has invested tens of billions in oil and gas infrastructure in recent years
The US expansion of its energy production has come from a sizable investment that predates Trump’s second term in office. It just so happens that the timing of his push to expand operations has come at just the right time as energy demand increases across the world.
One could be forgiven for not fully understanding the statements by Trump during his presidential campaign, which saw him promise to expand the US’s already dominant energy industry if he were elected. He certainly has lived up to that campaign promise. The US Gulf Coast has seen a rapid increase in gas and oil production over the past year.
Several US energy majors have developed new pipelines and upgraded existing ones to meet the anticipated increase in demand for US-based energy resources. One such company with a stronghold on the US market is Energy Transfer. The company has several oil and gas pipelines in the works or planned for the near future.
The massive oil and gas pipeline buildout in the United States boosted the nation’s already dominant status
With several pipelines slated for completion this year, the US is aiming to continue its worldwide domination of the energy market. Under Trump, the US has become the number one producer of gas by capacity in the world, and with the recent events in Venezuela, could overtake China to dominate the global oil industry as well in 2026.
“This is the most activity I’ve seen in my 20 years in the industry.” – Jack Weixel of East Daley Analytics
The rapid expansion of the US energy industry has been driven by the Permian Basin
Aside from the future potential of the US managing Venezuela’s oil reserves, which are the largest in the world, several new pipelines in the Permian Basin have positioned the US as the go-to force for energy exports in the world.
Energy Transfer, a major oil and gas transportation company (as the name suggests), has stated that the Hugh Brinson Pipeline development in the Permian will be the company’s most profitable asset to date, and enables the US to continue on its upward trajectory in the global oil and gas production market.
Energy Transfer has stated that it expects the Hugh Brinson Pipeline to be fully operational by the end of the year and that the company is poised to invest upwards of $5.5 billion in growth capital in 2026 in the US market.
“The general rule of thumb is the Permian needs a mega pipeline every 16 to 18 months.” – Amol Wayangankar of Enkon Energy Advisors
Will the US safely manage the expansion of its energy sector in 2026
As geopolitical tensions arise following Trump’s address to the World Economic Forum in Davos recently, the world is facing a future where the US seizes the power it has on the global stage as it dominates the international oil and gas supply. As several insiders have stated that they have seen US refineries preparing to handle increased levels of crude from Venezuela, the reality is that the world is entering a future that sees the US as the clear and dominating force across the global energy industry.
