The Great Gas Rush: Why Texas Needs More Natural Gas Pipelines, Now
Texas has long been the beating heart of America’s oil and gas economy. But as production ramps up across the state—from the sun-baked plains of the Permian Basin to the piney woods of East Texas—a new challenge is emerging: we need more pipelines, and we need them fast.
Natural gas is booming in Texas. Production is surging in key regions like the Permian Basin, the Haynesville Shale, and the Eagle Ford—and now, the Pearsall Shale is reawakening with new interest. But as the gas flows out of the ground, the infrastructure to move it hasn’t kept pace.
Let’s break it down region by region.
Permian Basin: The Giant Awakens (Again)
The Permian, straddling West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, is producing natural gas at record levels—as much as 20 billion cubic feet per day. But much of that gas is associated production from oil wells. Without adequate pipeline capacity, producers are forced to flare excess gas, which is wasteful and environmentally problematic. Multiple pipeline projects have been proposed or expanded, including Whistler, Permian Highway, and Matterhorn Express, but bottlenecks remain. Every new well drilled means more gas looking for a way out.
Haynesville Shale: East Texas Gas Powerhouse
Over in East Texas and northwest Louisiana, the Haynesville is a dry gas monster. It’s close to Gulf Coast LNG terminals and is increasingly attractive for exporters. But despite its proximity, takeaway capacity is nearing its limit. Projects like the Gillis Access and the Louisiana Energy Access Pipeline aim to expand capacity, but more is needed to keep pace with growth—especially if demand for LNG exports continues its upward trajectory.
Eagle Ford & Pearsall Shale: South Texas Revival
In South Texas, the Eagle Ford has been a reliable gas and liquids producer for over a decade. The Pearsall Shale, sitting just below it, is now showing signs of a comeback thanks to high oil prices and improved completion techniques. Together, they represent a growing source of natural gas that needs better connectivity to markets. Infrastructure built for peak Eagle Ford years is being pushed to its limits again.
Getting to the Gulf: The LNG Bottleneck
All this gas needs somewhere to go, and the Gulf Coast LNG terminals are the destination of choice. Texas currently hosts multiple major LNG export facilities like Freeport LNG, Corpus Christi LNG, and Golden Pass LNG—with more in development. These facilities convert Texas natural gas into liquefied form for export to Europe, Asia, and beyond. But if the gas can’t get there reliably, the export potential stalls. That’s why midstream investment is critical.
Powering the Future: Cities, AI, and Data Centers
Natural gas isn’t just for export. As coal fades and renewables face intermittency challenges, gas is stepping up as the backbone of Texas’ power grid. It provides affordable, dispatchable energy that keeps the lights on in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. And now, a new demand driver is entering the arena: data centers.
Massive computing facilities—powering cloud storage, streaming, and AI training—require stable, scalable electricity. Some of the largest AI and tech companies are planning campuses across Texas. They need power 24/7, and gas-fired generation is often the only thing that can reliably deliver it at the scale they require.
Conclusion: Infrastructure Is the Key
Texas has the gas. The world and the state need it. But the critical link is infrastructure. Without enough pipelines, we risk wasting production, underpowering our economy, and missing out on a golden export opportunity. It’s time for policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to treat natural gas pipelines not as an afterthought, but as essential infrastructure for the next chapter of Texas energy dominance.
The Great Gas Rush is on. Let’s not leave it stuck in the ground.