Trinity Gas Storage, an independent natural gas storage company, announced that two new trading points will become operational from October 1 at its Bethel site in East Texas. This initiative is led in partnership with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the world’s largest operator of energy derivatives markets and the main trading venue for physical natural gas in the United States.
The new points, named Trinity Gas (inj) for injection and Trinity Gas (w/d) for withdrawal, will enable power producers, utilities, industrials and high-growth digital economy users to conduct direct transactions through Trinity’s interconnected system. This system is currently linked to Atmos, Momentum and Comstock pipelines, with upcoming connections to Enterprise and Calpine as part of a planned expansion phase.
A project targeting market flexibility and liquidity
These two trading points aim to increase operational flexibility and price discovery for participants, within a centralised and transparent environment. The Bethel site is positioned as a future natural gas hub in the region due to its strategic location and ongoing infrastructure development.
Trinity Gas Storage Chief Executive Officer Jim Goetz stated that this milestone represents “an important growth marker” for the company. He noted that the creation of a centralised trading and storage location at Bethel offers greater adaptability and optimisation capacity for customers in an increasingly dynamic market.
A strategic hub under expansion
Since its commissioning in January, the Bethel facility has been central to Trinity’s efforts to meet its customers’ growing and diversified energy demands. The company plans to expand its capacity further to strengthen its regional presence and better meet local energy needs.
According to David Griesinger, Director of Commercial Operations at Trinity, the launch of the ICE trading points marks “a critical first step” in transforming Bethel into a major strategic natural gas centre in Texas. He confirmed that Phase II of the expansion is underway and will include new interconnects to enhance site connectivity.
A partnership modelled on recognised market structures
ICE and Trinity collaborated with their customers to design trading points based on the structure of other successful hubs, ensuring easy adoption from day one. ICE currently lists more than 250 physical natural gas markets, covering the most liquid regions in the United States, including New England, Appalachia, the Gulf Coast, the Southeast, Texas, the Midcontinent, the Rockies and California.
The creation of these trading points reinforces East Texas’s growing role as a key corridor for natural gas across production, storage and demand. The involved parties are betting on this new infrastructure to optimise flows and improve value management in a rapidly evolving market.
