NGI’s Hub & Flow

The global energy picture shifted overnight in late February. As the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively paralyzed, the natural gas market faces a shock unlike anything seen in the 1970s or even the 2022 Russia-Ukraine crisis. In this episode of Hub & Flow, NGI sits down with Anne-Sophie Corbeau, Global Research Scholar at Columbia University, to untangle the chaos currently gripping global markets. With nearly 20% of the world’s LNG supply currently trapped or disrupted, the stakes for global energy security and for U.S. fuel exporters have never been higher.

Following a winter defined by both record-shattering cold and unseasonal warmth, NGI's Leticia Gonzales, managing director of North American natural gas pricing, joins the podcast to break down the current state of the U.S. natural gas market. From the regional pricing discrepancies in the Permian Basin to the shifting dynamics of global geopolitics following recent events in the Middle East, Gonzales provides an in-depth look at the supply/demand balance. The conversation also dives into the future of the sector and provides a summer preview, examining the rapid expansion of LNG infrastructure and the emerging role of AI data centers in driving long-term demand.

Ten years after the first LNG cargo left Sabine Pass, Charif Souki reflects on the unlikely path that helped launch the U.S.into a top global natural gas exporter. In this episode, Souki recounts the founding of Cheniere Energy Inc., the launch of Gulf Coast exports and the rapid rise of U.S. natural gas production. From technology and shale productivity gains to the next generation of LNG projects, Souki offers a candid look at how the industry transformed over the past decade — and what the next 10 years may hold.

NGI’s Jamison Cocklin, managing editor of LNG, talks with Davenport Energy’s Toby Copson, managing partner and portfolio manager, about where things stand in the Asian LNG market as winter nears an end and the restocking season approaches. Copson, an LNG trader, discusses why Asian LNG spot buying has been so sluggish and whether he expects that to change anytime soon. The conversation also covers other influences shaping the world’s largest LNG market. Copson and Cocklin explore what role Asia will play in the years ahead as more supply from the United States and elsewhere comes online and global natural gas trading expands.

NGI’s managing editor for Mexico, Christopher Lenton, is joined by senior editor Andrew Baker to break down the fallout from the latest polar vortex and how Mexico’s natural gas system managed to keep the lights on despite “astronomical” price spikes and U.S. production shut-ins. Lenton, fresh from an industry summit in Monterrey, explains why Mexico’s gas demand remains remarkably inelastic even when the U.S. market descends into chaos. The discussion explores the evolving regulatory landscape under President Claudia Sheinbaum, contrasting her “technocratic” and state-led approach with the uncertainty of the previous administration. Lenton and Baker dive into the critical lack of underground storage, the growing role of CFE and Pemex, and the burgeoning data center hub in Querétaro that is driving a new wave of industrial demand. As the market looks toward increased demand, the episode provides a clear-eyed examination of whether Mexico could truly achieve energy independence, or if its “overwhelming dependence” on U.S. molecules is simply a permanent reality.

The natural gas market is evolving faster than the pipes can keep up, creating a high-stakes environment where infrastructure is king. Jay Bhatty, founder of NatGasHub.com and author of Nat Gas Million$: Insider Secrets To Striking It Rich, joins NGI’s Chris Lenton and senior editor Andrew Baker to pull back the curtain on the world of energy trading and the "unsung heroes" of gas scheduling. Bhatty breaks down how the disconnect between surging demand, driven by LNG exports and the data center boom, as well as how limited pipeline capacity is creating massive opportunities for those who control firm transport and storage. The discussion dives into the current winter outlook, encompassing how early-season volatility and potential "fireworks" in pipeline-constrained regions like the Northeast could trigger major price dislocations. Bhatty also shares strategic insights from his career on the trading floor, explaining the shift from traditional market drivers to a new era defined by high-flexibility storage and structural demand growth. As the market braces for the next major cold snap, Bhatty provides a roadmap for navigating a volatile commodity landscape where physical delivery is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage.

In this strategic outlook for the year ahead, NGI's Christopher Lenton, managing editor of Mexico, and Patrick Rau, senior vice president of research and analysis, sit down to discuss the natural gas market in a shifting supply landscape. While industry sentiment is overwhelmingly bullish, the discussion explores a critical tension: Can a 6% Henry Hub price premium survive the current storage surplus on top of the unpredictability of winter weather? From the massive growth in LNG exports to the regulatory hurdles facing data center expansion, the conversation delves into whether North American producers can ramp up production in time to meet the 4 Bcf/d demand surge projected for the coming year.

As the new year dawns, the U.S. energy industry is facing a complex future, filled with opportunities for extending LNG exports, advancing power solutions and building infrastructure. Deloitte’s Kate Hardin joined NGI’s Carolyn Davis, managing editor-news, to offer insight about the firm’s 2026 oil and gas forecast. It’s innovation that will guide the future, Hardin said. This is the beginning of an exciting year for the oil and gas industry, as it continues expanding efficiencies and improving technologies. Could natural gas prices strengthen? Will utilities advance more natural gas-fired capacity? What about regulations and government policies? Could they stymie investments? Hardin discusses that and more in an insightful discussion.

The heating season is off to a roaring start, with forecasters calling for one of the chilliest Decembers in recent memory. IAF Advisors owner Kyle Cooper joins NGI senior editor Andrew Baker to discuss the implications for natural gas supply, demand and prices as winter gets underway. Cooper breaks down how soaring heating demand could rapidly deplete natural gas inventories, and send already elevated gas prices even higher. He cites the example of last winter, a normal one by historical standards, that nonetheless triggered a massive pull on storage in January. Cooper also discusses the impacts of record LNG exports and the evolving electricity mix on natural gas power burns and storage trends. As demand continues to rise, Cooper explains how the supply picture will evolve as producers in the Haynesville Shale, Permian Basin and Appalachia adapt to a constantly changing market.