A fresh wave of U.S. natural gas is charging into global markets as ten major pipeline projects come online, fuelling a dramatic rise in LNG exports. With demand soaring from Europe to Asia, this new infrastructure boom is cementing America’s role as a dominant energy supplier — and investors are paying attention.
In 2024 alone, the completion of ten major pipeline projects has significantly increased the flow of natural gas beneath U.S. soil. This surge in infrastructure, confirmed by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, is propelling billions of cubic feet of gas daily—half of which is now destined for international markets as liquefied natural gas (LNG). According to S&P Global, LNG exports from the U.S. are set to double over the next five years, signalling a new era of strategic energy influence.
This transformation began in 2016, when the fracking revolution reshaped U.S. oil and gas production. The innovation dramatically expanded the supply of cost-efficient natural gas, unlocking a competitive edge in global energy markets. Matthew Zaragoza-Watkins, an economist at the University of California, Davis, highlights how the technology widened the availability of affordable gas, strengthening America’s energy profile.
Natural gas complements renewable sources like solar and wind by providing consistent power regardless of weather conditions. It’s also far cleaner than coal and competitively priced, further enhancing its appeal. Ed Hirs, an energy economist at the University of Houston, underscores the U.S. advantage: abundant reserves and low production costs. As a result, American LNG is increasingly fuelling demand from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and China.
Key to this export success are pipelines and LNG terminals, where natural gas undergoes an industrial chilling process. Richard Meyer from the American Gas Association explains that pipeline gas is super-cooled to -260°F, converting it into a liquid. This liquefaction makes natural gas significantly more energy-dense, easing its global transport and boosting its economic efficiency.
However, the infrastructure that supports this booming export market has been constrained by regulatory challenges. Red tape has historically slowed development and increased costs. That outlook is beginning to shift. Zaragoza-Watkins notes that under the current U.S. administration, the pace of permitting for new LNG terminals is accelerating. This policy shift promises to streamline development and reduce investor uncertainty around future capacity expansion.
With regulation easing and infrastructure expanding, the U.S. is poised to deepen its role as a cornerstone of global energy stability.
Diversified Energy Company plc (LON:DEC) is an independent energy company engaged in the production, marketing, transportation and retirement of primarily natural gas and natural gas liquids related to its U.S. onshore upstream and midstream assets.
