US natural gas pipeline developers have committed to over 34 Bcf/d of new capacity set to come online between 2026 and 2029, with most additions concentrated in the Permian Basin and along the Gulf Coast, according to East Daley Analytics. However, analysts warn that this buildout could temporarily exceed production growth and strain older long-haul systems, even as the LNG expansion and a favorable regulatory climate revive long-stalled projects such as Williams' Northeast Supply Enhancement. Under the most optimistic forecasts, gas demand would increase from 18 Bcf/d to 27 Bcf/d through 2030.

Slow adoption of low-carbon technologies, combined with continued reliance on jet fuel and petrochemical feedstocks due to limited alternatives, will push global oil demand to 113 million barrels per day by 2040, up from 103.5 million bpd in 2024, according to a Goldman Sachs report. The bank expects oil use in road transportation to max out around 2030 and AI-driven economic growth to boost oil demand by 3 million bpd by 2040. "This diminishing role of oil in power generation suggests that any AI-driven global power demand boom will not have a large direct effect on oil demand, in contrast to natural gas," the report states.

Waha Hub natural gas' discount to Henry Hub prices is expected to narrow to around 50 cents per million British thermal units by 2030 as roughly 16 Bcf/d of new takeaway capacity and upcoming LNG projects help relieve regional bottlenecks, according to Enverus Intelligence Research analysts. Permian Basin gas production is on track to climb to around 31 Bcf/d by 2030, supported by higher gas-to-oil ratios. "Ongoing improvements in drilling efficiency and well performance are driving significant cost savings and production gains, further strengthening the outlook for natural gas and LNG sectors," said EIR Head of Macro Research Al Salazar.

The artificial intelligence and energy sectors are facing an interesting conundrum: both are expected to increase in tandem in the coming years, but they also require many of the same resources -- including critical minerals that are in increasingly short supply. The result may be bottlenecks that make it difficult for the sectors to grow, reports the International Energy Agency. "Monitoring how the material footprint of AI and data centres evolves will be critical to anticipating some key energy security risks," it says in its World Energy Outlook report.

Enbridge has committed to invest $1.4 billion to expand its Mainline and Flanagan South pipelines to the US by 250,000 barrels per day, with completion expected in 2027. The company also plans to evaluate shipper interest next year for a second phase that could add another 250,000 bpd to accommodate rising Canadian supply. Separately, the Army Corps of Engineers postponed its final permit decision on the Line 5 tunnel project until spring 2026 after publishing a new environmental analysis.

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Gas-Electric Alignment for Reliability task force issued a report highlighting the urgent need for expanded natural gas pipeline infrastructure and increased storage capacity in the US. With electricity demand growing and extreme weather events becoming more frequent, reliable access to natural gas is considered crucial for supporting power generation and maintaining grid stability. The report recommends strategic investment in new infrastructure and storage solutions to address supply chain shortfalls.

The Tennessee Valley Authority plans significant investments in nuclear and gas generation after reporting a $1.4 billion increase in operating revenue for fiscal 2025. TVA is constructing 3.7 gigawatts of new generation, including 1.4 gigawatts of natural gas at both the Cumberland and Kingston fossil plants, and is planning up to four small modular reactors at the Clinch River Nuclear Site.

US oil and natural gas drillers added one net rig last week to bring the total combined rig count to 549, according to Baker Hughes. New Mexico and Louisiana added two and one unit, respectively, while Texas, Oklahoma and North Dakota posted declines.

Democrats plan to focus on rising electricity prices as a key issue in the 2026 elections, aiming to replicate their 2025 successes. Candidates in states such as New Jersey and Georgia have already highlighted this issue, with New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill and Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger making it central to their campaigns. Electricity prices have risen more than 5% in the past year, outpacing general inflation.