Energy Transfer's Hugh Brinson Pipeline Could Begin Gas Flows in Q3 2026
Phase 1 of the 400-mile pipeline is fully contracted and remains on track for a Q4 2026 in-service date, with capacity set to expand to 2.2 billion cubic feet per day in Q1 2027.
(P&GJ) — Energy Transfer said construction continues on the Hugh Brinson Pipeline, a roughly 400-mile natural gas pipeline connecting the Waha hub in West Texas to Maypearl, Texas.
According to a recent company presentation, the first phase of the project is fully subscribed and backed by long-term transportation commitments. The initial phase is designed to move about 1.5 billion cubic feet per day and remains on track for service in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Energy Transfer also said it may be able to begin flowing some gas during the third quarter of 2026 if construction progress continues as planned. A second phase, consisting of additional compression, is expected to increase capacity to about 2.2 billion cubic feet per day in early 2027.
The project is intended to move Permian Basin gas to Texas demand centers and Gulf Coast markets, including growing power demand tied to data center and artificial intelligence development.
Customer Commitments Grow Ahead of Startup
Matador Resources recently disclosed additional agreements with Energy Transfer tied to the Hugh Brinson Pipeline and related natural gas liquids infrastructure. The company previously secured firm transportation capacity of 500,000 MMBtu/d on the pipeline to move natural gas production out of the Permian Basin and access markets with historically stronger pricing than the Waha Hub.
In a June 4 update, Matador said it signed a gas supply agreement with Energy Transfer that is expected to help bridge the period before the Hugh Brinson Pipeline enters service. The company said the arrangement should improve realized natural gas prices during the second half of 2026 while also providing Energy Transfer with additional gas supplies to serve growing demand from power generation and AI-driven data centers.
Matador Chairman and CEO Joseph Foran said the company expects the agreement to improve flow assurance and natural gas pricing until transportation service on the Hugh Brinson Pipeline becomes available.