Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For 2025, the company's Adjusted EBITDA was $1.138 billion, reflecting a 17% increase from the previous year, primarily driven by a 27% growth in the pipeline segment [16][3] - The fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $293 million, a $5 million increase from the prior quarter, attributed to increased seasonal demand on joint venture pipelines and higher LEAP revenue [16][3] - The company achieved a total shareholder return of approximately 280% since its spin-off, with a compounded annual adjusted EBITDA growth of 12% [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The pipeline segment has grown from 50% to 70% of the company's business, the highest among its peer group [5] - The company advanced over $1 billion of organic opportunities from its backlog, with 80% allocated to pipeline projects [4] - The gathering segment achieved record-high throughput in 2025, with Haynesville averaging above 1.9 Bcf/d [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand for natural gas in the Upper Midwest is expected to increase significantly, with approximately 35 GW of coal plant generation anticipated to retire in the next 10-15 years [12] - The company expects LNG demand to grow by 11 Bcf through 2030, with two-thirds of this demand being served by the Haynesville [13] - The recent cold weather highlighted capacity constraints in the North American market, resulting in extreme price volatility [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth within the natural gas ecosystem, with an updated project backlog of $3.4 billion, a 50% increase over the previous estimate [7] - The strategy emphasizes disciplined capital allocation towards high-quality natural gas pipeline projects, supported by long-term demand-based contracts [5][21] - The company plans to continue executing its core strategy, which has consistently delivered strong performance and shareholder value [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the fundamentals supporting the business, highlighting a robust opportunity set in the natural gas market [21] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on generational investment opportunities, with a focus on expanding its pipeline capacity to meet growing demand [7][14] - Management noted that the market remains fluid, with ongoing discussions with utilities about their growth trajectories and needs [23] Other Important Information - The company achieved investment-grade credit ratings across all three rating agencies, reflecting its disciplined financial management [5] - A quarterly dividend of $0.88 per share was declared, representing a 7.3% increase from the prior year [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on the expected pace and cadence of commercialization and capital spending outlook - Management indicated a fluid market with growing opportunities, particularly in the Upper Midwest, and emphasized disciplined conversations with existing customers [23][24] Question: Update on Midwestern Gas Transmission expansion - Management is in deep discussions regarding both northern and southern expansions, highlighting strong demand signals for gas in the region [26] Question: Insights on growth CapEx outlook and risk adjustment - Management confirmed that the backlog has increased due to a fluid market, with half of the projects already at FID and the other half highly probable [34] Question: Impact of competition on planned pipeline expansions - Management expressed confidence in their competitive position, noting that they do not fear competition and can achieve outstanding results even with multiple players in the market [36] Question: Clarification on the gross backlog and its significance - Management stated that the gross backlog is significantly larger than the risk-adjusted backlog, indicating a robust opportunity set [42] Question: Update on Haynesville capacity needs and producer conversations - Management noted a ramp-up in Haynesville production and ongoing discussions with major producers regarding capacity needs [90] Question: Future LNG projects and their impact on expansions - Management indicated that the next wave of LNG projects will drive incremental expansion opportunities, with ongoing discussions with shippers [68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated over $90 million in free cash flow during the quarter, with nearly $600 million year-to-date [22] - The free cash flow yield is locked in at 6% to 9% at natural gas prices between $2 and $3, with a break-even at $1.75 per MCF for 2026 [25][26] - The company paid down approximately $180 million in debt and repurchased $163 million in stock year-to-date [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a record completion performance, averaging 14.5 stages per day and nearly 5,000 feet on the completion side [8] - The Marcellus Core Fairway expansion is driven by strong well performance and ongoing organic leasing efforts [9] - The company has hedged 24% of expected natural gas volumes in 2026 at $3.82 per MMBtu [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - NGL production growth in the U.S. is expected to slow due to low oil prices and reduced rig counts, particularly in the Permian Basin [11][12] - Propane exports have increased by over 120,000 barrels a day year-to-date, averaging 1.85 million barrels a day [13] - LNG export demand is projected to increase by 4.5 Bcf from the beginning of 2025 to the end of 2025, driven by the Plaquemines LNG facility [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its core Marcellus position in West Virginia through bolt-on transactions and organic leasing [6] - The strategic initiatives aim to capitalize on structural demand changes in the natural gas market, particularly from LNG exports and power generation [5][6] - The company plans to maintain a disciplined approach to transactions, focusing on accretive opportunities that enhance free cash flow and net asset value per share [22][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the natural gas market, citing significant demand growth driven by LNG exports and new data centers [5] - The company is well-positioned to respond to regional demand increases and has a substantial inventory for future growth opportunities [26] - Management emphasized the importance of patience in capitalizing on market opportunities, particularly in the context of LNG and regional demand [58] Other Important Information - The company has a dominant position in West Virginia, producing over 40% of the state's natural gas [64] - The company is exploring opportunities for data center cooling and natural gas-fired power generation in the region [56][58] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the catalyst for commencing drilling in Harrison County? - The catalyst was increased local demand related to data centers and power deals [30] Question: How does the higher production level impact maintenance CapEx? - A 3% increase in production is expected to lead to a similar increase in maintenance capital, approximately $20 million [37] Question: What are the expectations for average lateral length in 2026? - Average lateral length is expected to increase to 14,000 feet, up from the low 13,000 feet this year [44] Question: What is the strategy regarding hedging? - The strategy involves locking in above 5% free cash flow yields while maintaining exposure to upside [50] Question: What are the expectations for the proof-of-concept pad in Harrison County? - The expectation is for a 50% improvement in well performance compared to historical averages [55] Question: What is the company's approach to M&A and asset sales? - The company is evaluating opportunities for bolt-on transactions and is encouraged by the market for its Ohio assets [66][90]