Pipeline Constraints Are Limiting LNG Growth, TC Energy CEO Says
TC Energy CEO François Poirier said LNG growth will depend on expanding pipeline capacity, as global demand rises and supply disruptions highlight infrastructure constraints.
HOUSTON (P&GJ) — TC Energy CEO François Poirier said LNG growth will depend on expanding pipeline capacity, rather than additional gas supply.
Speaking during a discussion at the POLITICO Pub at CERAWeek in Houston, Poirier said North America has sufficient natural gas resources to meet rising global demand, but the ability to bring that supply to market remains constrained by infrastructure.
“Really when you talk about our ability to grow supply into demand, it’s all about the pipeline infrastructure,” Poirier said.
Recent disruptions in global LNG markets have reinforced that point. What had been concerns about oversupply just weeks ago have shifted following supply interruptions in the Middle East, including a roughly 17% reduction in LNG output from Qatar.
Poirier said the shift has increased urgency around new infrastructure, particularly as customers look to secure long-term supply.
“Our conversations are accelerating… with customers who are… looking to accelerate conversations around sanctioning new infrastructure,” he said.
At the same time, he emphasized that infrastructure cannot respond quickly to short-term disruptions. Pipeline projects require years to permit and construct, limiting how quickly new capacity can come online.
Poirier said the underlying supply picture remains strong, noting that producers can ramp up output quickly once additional takeaway capacity is in place.
The long-term outlook for LNG demand also remains intact. He pointed to forecasts calling for a 50% to 65% increase in global demand over the next decade or more, reinforcing the need for continued infrastructure investment.
He added that interest in North American LNG is increasing, particularly for projects that can provide a more direct path to Asian markets.
Beyond LNG exports, Poirier said rising electricity demand tied to data centers and artificial intelligence is adding urgency to infrastructure development, with policymakers increasingly focused on ensuring energy supply can keep pace.
He also pointed to permitting reform as a key factor in accelerating project timelines, noting that clearer processes and reduced uncertainty are needed to support investment.
“Uncertainty is the enemy of investment,” Poirier said.
Despite broader political and trade tensions, Poirier said North American governments are aligned on the need to expand energy infrastructure, which he said is critical to supporting long-term demand growth.
For TC Energy and the broader industry, the takeaway is clear: the resource base is not the issue. Expanding infrastructure will determine how much of that supply can reach global markets.