If you’ve followed the news lately, you’ve probably noticed a lot of buzz around AI. What fewer people are talking about is the enormous power demand required to run this technology and how that might impact the future of natural gas production in the Utica Shale.
At the recent RBC Global Energy, Power & Infrastructure Conference, nearly every speaker touched on the same thing: power demand is growing fast, and AI data centers are a big reason why. These hyperscale computing facilities, the kind run by Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, are already pulling huge amounts of electricity from the grid. Over the next decade, that demand is expected to surge even further. And that means one thing: the United States will need a lot more natural gas to power the future.
Why does this matter to landowners in Eastern Ohio?
Because we’re sitting on top of one of the most important natural gas basins in the country and the market is beginning to realize just how valuable that is. Utilities, data center operators, and infrastructure developers are all scrambling to secure stable, long-term access to low-cost, domestic gas. According to analysts, the price of natural gas could rise to the $4.50–$5.00 range just to unlock the supply needed to meet demand. That’s well above current breakeven levels, and it’s a strong signal that more drilling and development are coming.
That demand pull is already showing up. We’re seeing operators shift more of their resources toward gas-weighted development, especially in places like the Marcellus and Utica. Some are even pulling forward gas projects that were originally slated for next year. And companies like Infinity Natural Resources are making deep Utica development a bigger part of their long-term growth plans.
What does that mean for you?
If you own minerals in Eastern Ohio, your assets are becoming more valuable. As the nation’s power grid leans more heavily on gas to support AI and data infrastructure, buyers will continue looking for positions in areas like the Utica that offer reliable, large-scale production potential. That translates to more attention, and potentially more competitive offers, for mineral owners who are positioned well.
At Gateway Royalty, we’re watching these shifts closely. Our team has spent more than a decade studying the geology, infrastructure, and production data across the Utica Shale. We understand where development is most likely to happen and where mineral owners can benefit right now. If you’ve received offers in the past and passed, it may be time to take another look.
We’d be happy to show you what’s changed.
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