Report highlights natural gas system resilience during Winter Storm Fern

(WO) — A new report commissioned by the Natural Gas Council found the U.S. natural gas system maintained strong operational reliability during Winter Storm Fern, while also underscoring the need for additional pipeline and storage infrastructure to address future weather-related supply constraints.

The report, prepared by Energy Ventures Analysis, concluded that natural gas utilities and pipeline operators continued serving firm customers throughout the prolonged cold-weather event without known losses of natural gas utility service tied to production disruptions.

“Winter Storm Fern demonstrated meaningful resilience in the natural gas system,” the report stated.

According to the analysis, the storm differed from previous cold-weather events because of its duration rather than peak temperature severity. Sustained below-normal temperatures across the Central and Eastern United States for more than 10 consecutive days pushed natural gas demand near record single-day levels.

The report said the natural gas system performed well across production, transportation and storage operations, while highlighting the benefits of recent winterization investments made following Winter Storm Uri in 2021.

At the same time, the study warned that infrastructure constraints—particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions—continue to contribute to price volatility and reliability risks during periods of elevated demand.

Modeling conducted as part of the analysis found additional pipeline capacity in the Northeast could have reduced regional natural gas price spikes during peak consumption periods.

The report recommended accelerated permitting and development of new pipeline and storage projects, expanded winterization efforts and reforms aimed at improving fuel security for electric generation markets.

The analysis also called for additional protections preventing critical natural gas infrastructure from being curtailed during electric grid emergencies.

Industry groups continue to advocate for expanded natural gas infrastructure investment as utilities and pipeline operators prepare for both future winter storms and increasing power demand tied to industrial growth, electrification and AI-driven data center expansion.