Getting new pipelines built, and existing ones expanded. is far from easy these days. The Keystone Pipeline’s cancellation in 2021 is a grand example of how the fickle winds of politics can cause billions of infrastructure investment to be wasted.

Almost any time the subject of a new pipeline project is broached, local communities are whipped into a frenzy of NIMBYism to prevent it ever seeing the light of day. Yet, despite strenuous opposition, the U.S DOE’s Energy Information Administration said the United States has about 3 million miles of gas pipelines.

Made up of main delivery and distribution pipelines that link natural gas production areas and storage facilities with consumers. In 2022, they delivered about 29.2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas to about 78.3 million consumers and businesses.

Almost 20,000 miles of pipeline are planned or under construction in North America. Over 8,600 miles are under construction, a 9.5% increase from the previous year.

Much of this is to serve the Permian, Marcellus and Utica shale markets where liquefied natural gas (LNG) is in high demand. But building pipelines takes time and many other areas of the country remain beyond the reach of natural gas pipelines.

An alternative is emerging: trailer shipments where natural gas infrastructure is not available. Companies like Sapphire Gas Solutions in Texas are delivering LNG.  To sate, the company has delivered 3 BCF by truck around North America. One trailer can provide up to 500 million BTUs of LNG to a site.

“Some customers are off grid and cannot contract grid power,” said Sam Thigpen, CEO of Sapphire Gas Solutions. “We can bring LNG in and assure a supply of natural gas as reliable as a pipeline. We can provide them with 5 to 100 MW to serve continuous needs.”

He considers the trucking of LNG to be like a virtual pipeline for natural gas. Even where more grid power might be available in a few months, trucking in the LNG can serve as a temporary solution.