U.S. Pipeline Giants Fuel Up for Gas Boom

The U.S. natural gas industry is experiencing a surge in production and exports, driven by rising demand from AI data centers and LNG export facilities.

Pipeline giants such as ONEOK and Williams are acquiring smaller private competitors to consolidate the industry and build scale.

ONEOK's $4.42 billion acquisition of Brazos Midstream's Permian Basin assets is one of several recent deals in the sector, with Williams purchasing Momentum Midstream for $5.5 billion in a separate deal.

The U.S. Department of Energy projects that natural gas output could rise 35% from current levels to 150 Bcf/d by 2050, driven by continued buildout of LNG export facilities and domestic demand.