More in STORE - September 2026
Launching Bear River Midstream: New name, same team, proven assets
Bear River Midstream launched as an independent company on June 30, after I Squared Capital acquired Spire Storage’s natural gas storage assets in Wyoming and Oklahoma. Since then, CEO Scott Smith has shared perspectives with industry and business media on the evolving natural gas market, the importance of storage and the trends shaping customer needs.In interviews and coverage by Hart Energy, S&P Global Commodity Insights, Natural Gas Intelligence, Oil & Gas Journal, Pipeline & Gas Journal and Houston Business Journal, Scott discussed growing demand from power generation, renewables integration, LNG exports and AI-driven development. Across these conversations, he emphasized the value of strategically located storage assets in helping customers navigate changing market conditions while maintaining reliable, flexible energy solutions. Scott noted plans to expand capacity and services at Bear River Midstream assets – Stallion Gas Storage in Wyoming and Salt Plains Gas Storage in Oklahoma – which offer direct, highly advantageous access to key interstate pipelines across the Western and Mid-Continent regions, and beyond.
LDC Gas Forums Rockies & West: Gas storage's role in a dynamic market
Bear River Midstream CEO Scott Smith joined industry leaders for a panel discussion at the recent LDC Gas Forums Rockies & West in San Diego, where they offered insights on the midstream landscape, including market conditions, evolving flow patterns, infrastructure developments and solutions to meet increased energy demand. During the “Midstream Matters” session, Scott highlighted how natural gas storage provides critical operational flexibility as pipeline systems become increasingly utilized, while additional long-term commitments from customers underscore storage’s expanding role in maintaining supply reliability. Drawing on a recent winter weather event, he also shared how Bear River Midstream storage assets in Oklahoma and Wyoming helped mitigate price volatility and provide additional supply flexibility by ramping up withdrawals, as well as offering strategic gas wheeling between pipeline systems.
Asset updates: Growing capacity to meet market needs
Stallion Gas Storage: Following the completion of a $300 million expansion in 2025, Stallion Gas Storage in Wyoming is ramping up working gas capacity over the next several years. We plan to engage customers and market participants through discussions and an open season process as additional capacity becomes available.
Salt Plains Gas Storage: After three years of operating Salt Plains Gas Storage in Oklahoma, we have identified opportunities to increase available storage capacity by 20-30% over the next two years, helping meet growing demand for flexible and reliable natural gas storage services.
Connect with us
We’ll be at LDC Gas Forums Mid-Continent, Sept. 14-16, in Chicago. If you’re attending, we would welcome the opportunity to connect. We’re available any time to discuss natural gas storage solutions and services that support your commercial objectives.
We’re also pleased to welcome Gary Largesse as Chief Operating Officer at Bear River Midstream. In this newly created role, Gary will help advance our focus on operational excellence and long-term growth.
Follow Bear River Midstream on LinkedIn for company news and market updates.
Industry news: What we're reading
EIA forecasts lower hub prices, robust gas generation
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) August Short-Term Energy Outlook forecasts a lower 3Q26 Henry Hub spot price averaging $2.87/MMBtu. Prices should remain below $3.00/MMBtu due to near-record storage heading into October. New solar projects and increased use of natural gas-fired power plants are leading sources of generation growth in 2026, which is forecast to increase in 2027. U.S. electricity generation also has been rising to meet growing demand from data centers.
Data Centers turning to natural gas supply
A recent Wood Mackenzie report reveals cumulative U.S. data center capacity reached 331 gigawatts, driving developers to leverage existing pipelines amid grid delays. New entrants targeting gas supply and land access are expanding into key markets like Texas and Utah. To ensure speed-to-power, developers are deploying “around-the-meter” generation, where natural gas accounts for 48% of capacity.
Supporting our communities
Bear River Midstream and our teams continue supporting local communities through volunteering, sponsorships and charitable contributions. This month, we were proud to once again sponsor Evanston Cowboy Days as it celebrated 90 years of Wyoming tradition and community. Our Stallion Gas Storage facility in Evanston, Wyoming, also supported a local swim team that is important to our employees and their families.
