The transmission pipelines segment is expected to dominate upcoming US oil and gas midstream projects by 2028, representing about 47 per cent of the projects between 2024 and 2028.

These pipelines are critical components of the midstream sector, linking production areas to refineries, distribution centres, and export ports.

They are known as “trunk” or “transmission” pipelines because they are the primary vessels of the pipeline network, transporting vast volumes of materials over long distances.

According to GlobalData, 186 midstream projects are projected to start operations in the US during this period, with the trunk/transmission pipelines segment accounting for 87 projects, followed by gas processing and LNG with 34 and 29 projects, respectively.

GlobalData Oil & Gas Analyst Bhargavi Gandham highlights that the growth of the midstream sector in the US is driven by increasing production from shale plays, requiring infrastructure expansion for transportation and storage.

“Rising exports of oil and gas are providing additional momentum to the sector’s growth,” said Gandham.

One of the key upcoming US transmission pipeline projects is the WEST Header Project, with a pipeline length of 1,046 kilometres.

This natural gas pipeline project, operated by Magnum Development LLC, is expected to start operations in 2028.

Gandham notes that the US has one of the world’s most extensive oil and gas transmission pipeline networks, with plans for new pipelines, particularly in natural gas, aimed at reducing domestic carbon emissions and facilitating LNG exports.