U.S. developers plan to bring approximately 44.9 billion cubic feet per day of new natural gas pipeline capacity online in 2026 and 2027, according to the Energy Information Administration’s Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Tracker. About 70% of that capacity is already under construction.
Texas alone accounts for more than 66% of the planned additions — over 29.7 Bcf/d — making it by far the dominant force in the country’s near-term pipeline buildout.
U.S. Pipeline Expansion at a Glance
The scale of planned additions is substantial. The EIA’s Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Tracker shows roughly 44.9 Bcf/d of new capacity scheduled across 2026 and 2027, representing a significant near-term expansion of the country’s natural gas delivery network.
Of that total, approximately 31.6 Bcf/d — around 70% — is already under construction. That share points to a high degree of confidence that most planned capacity will materialize on schedule, rather than stall somewhere in early development.
Why Texas Dominates Planned Capacity Additions
Texas is not simply a leading contributor — it is the overwhelming one. At 29.7 Bcf/d, the state accounts for more than 66% of all planned U.S. additions over the two-year window. Nothing else is close.
Projects concentrated in Texas serve a clear purpose: expanding takeaway capacity out of the Permian Basin. The Permian remains the most prolific natural gas-producing region in the country, and moving that gas to market requires continuous infrastructure investment. A central target is the Waha Hub in West Texas, a pricing and routing node that has experienced sharp price dislocations when supply outpaced available pipeline capacity. New pipelines are designed to relieve that pressure directly.
Beyond the Permian and Waha, the expanded Texas network will supply natural gas to LNG export terminals along the Gulf Coast, along with residential, power generation, and industrial customers throughout the region.
Louisiana and Virginia Round Out the Top Three States
Louisiana ranks second among states for planned capacity additions. Its 8.4 Bcf/d represents about 19% of the national total — meaningful, though well below Texas.
One near-term milestone is the Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector, expected to begin service in the second half of 2026 and contribute 2.0 Bcf/d of new capacity. The Pelican Pipeline adds to Louisiana’s total later in the cycle, projected to come online by the end of 2027 and bring the state’s cumulative additions to the full 8.4 Bcf/d figure cited in EIA data.
Virginia comes in third, with 1.6 Bcf/d expected in 2027 through Williams’s Southeast Supply Enhancement Project — an expansion of the existing Transcontinental Pipeline stretching from Virginia to Alabama and extending the eastern delivery network southward.
Context: LNG Exports and Domestic Demand Drive Expansion
The pipeline buildout does not exist in isolation. It reflects underlying demand pressures that show no sign of easing.
LNG export growth along the Gulf Coast is among the most visible drivers. As more liquefaction capacity comes online, terminal operators require reliable, high-volume gas supply, and pipelines connecting Permian production to Gulf Coast export facilities are a direct response. Domestic consumption adds its own pressure — residential heating, power generation, and industrial processes all require expanded delivery infrastructure as usage patterns shift. This investment cycle addresses both the export market and traditional end-use sectors simultaneously.
The Permian Basin’s continued output growth makes the infrastructure question especially pressing. When production volumes exceed what existing pipelines can carry, prices at hubs like Waha can fall sharply — sometimes turning negative. New capacity reduces that risk by creating additional routing options for producers.
Texas Is Leading the Way
The numbers tell a straightforward story. The U.S. is on track to add roughly 44.9 Bcf/d of natural gas pipeline capacity in 2026 and 2027, with about 70% of that already under construction.
Texas drives the buildout, contributing more than two-thirds of all planned additions through projects designed to expand Permian takeaway capacity and relieve congestion at the Waha Hub. Louisiana follows at 19% of the total, with major projects expected across both years. Virginia rounds out the top three with 1.6 Bcf/d arriving in 2027.
Taken together, the expansion reflects sustained demand from LNG exporters, power generators, and industrial users — and the ongoing need to move growing Permian production efficiently to market.
Carlos is an engineer with strong expertise in technical and industrial topics. He previously worked at international companies such as Siemens and speaks Spanish, German, English, and Italian.
