U.S. energy dominance policy is often captioned "Drill Baby Drill", however the reality is that natural gas midstream infrastructure is a more significant constraint than gas supply. This Panel is comprised of leading experts from several key elements of the natural gas midstream infrastructure value chain, specifically gas storage, infrastructure development, infrastructure EPC, and gas transmission. The Panel will discuss current market conditions, constraints, and new project plans. In addition, the Panel will share insights into the development and supply chain process, including latest approaches and techniques to ensure efficient achievement of shovel ready projects to deliver critical energy infrastructure.

As energy demand accelerates and reliability challenges intensify, the U.S. natural gas, oil and power system is reaching a critical inflection point. This timely panel brings together industry leaders to examine two of the most urgent and deeply interconnected issues facing the energy sector today: infrastructure permitting and gas electric coordination. Drawing on recent National Petroleum Council studies, panelists will discuss how electrification, data center growth, and renewable integration are colliding with misaligned markets, constrained pipeline flexibility, and increasingly complex permitting processes. The discussion will move beyond problem statement to practical solutions, focusing on what it will take to better align policy, market design, and infrastructure investment to ensure reliability and affordability. Join this forward looking conversation on how the industry can break through bottlenecks, strengthen coordination, and build a resilient energy system capable of meeting the demands of the next decade.

While much of the natural gas market is deregulated, the natural gas Utilities segment operates in a regulated environment and must adhere to specific regulations regarding pricing, service quality, and infrastructure investment. Regulatory frameworks are designed to safeguard consumers against unfair practices, ensure fair pricing, reliable service, and transparency. Rules and standards vary by jurisdiction, compliance is mandatory, and non-compliance can lead to penalties or legal consequences. Regulations often require additional reporting and documentation, as well as audits. Sometimes there are limitations on operational flexibility and innovation. Rate structures are often structured by regulatory bodies to balance consumer interests, operational demands, and utility profitability. All this means that regulated natural gas Utilities segment must play by different rules, often driven to structuring specific commercial arrangements necessary to navigate regulatory requirements. This Panel is comprised of leading experts representing a variety of entities in the regulated natural gas Utility segment, including a leading gas Utility trade association, a city-owned public natural gas Utility, and a multi-city Gas District Utility distributing natural gas to consumers. The Panel will highlight various unique aspects of commercial and physical operations in the regulated Utility segment, in the context of how Utilities acquire gas supply, transport supply to their location, and distribute and sell natural gas to their customers. Examples will point out distinctions where the Utility's flexibility in structuring commercial arrangements is limited by regulation and risk of cost recovery. Panelists will also examine various operational constraints imposed by regulation such as contracting for firm upstream pipeline transportation capacity and integration of renewable energy alternatives.

This Panel of industry experts from a variety of technology providers spanning the energy value chain discuss innovative solutions to overcoming challenges in infrastructure management. With the remarkable increase in demand for natural gas as a vital energy source, attention now turns to ensuring sufficient infrastructure to move energy efficiently and securely from production sources to demand centers. The Panel will identify and explore specific technology solutions including: •Managing commercial natural gas transactions (Natural Gas Pricing, Billing, Scheduling, ETRM, Customer Management, LDC EDI & Transaction Automation, and Producer Services) •End-to-end Wholesale and Retail Operations Solution serving the needs of Natural Gas Marketers, Producers, Distributors, LDCs, Utilities, and Pipelines •Ensuring visibility and contextual presence of solutions to potential markets •Energy trade and transaction management that is digital, scalable, efficient, and secure •Technology Innovations include: leveraging machine learning, digital twins, AI, digital transformation of business operations, unlocking the power of your data by integrating operations and deploying business intelligence

Please join our hosts, the Corporate Sponsors, at a cocktail reception in your honor. Don't make your dinner plans too early as hors d'oeuvres and an open bar will be the highlight of this extremely well attended session!