Cobra Master Development Plan Project Completes Federal Permitting
Contact Information
Permitting Council Press Office (media@permitting.gov)
WASHINGTON (June 5, 2026) – Today, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) announced the completion of federal permitting for the Cobra Master Development Plan project. Located in Shelby County, Texas, the project will play a significant role in unleashing American energy, contributing to the nation’s natural gas production.
“Congratulations to the U.S. Forest Service and Silver Hill Energy Partners on completing federal permitting for the Cobra Master Development Plan project less than a year from being added to the FAST-41 dashboard,” said Emily Domenech, Permitting Council Executive Director. “This milestone shows how the Permitting Council’s support can get complex projects to the finish line, advancing the infrastructure needed to support American energy dominance and strengthen domestic natural gas production.”
“Completing permitting for the Cobra Master Development Plan is a milestone for the Forest Service and East Texas,” said Michael Boren, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment. “This is the first oil and gas pipeline project to complete federal permitting under FAST-41 with the Forest Service as lead agency – and it will not be the last. The national forests belong to all Americans, and that means putting them to work for America's energy future. The Forest Service set a clear timeline, coordinated across agencies, and delivered. That is what responsible multiple use looks like in practice.”
“This is great news for Shelby County and for American energy,” said Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX). “The Cobra Master Development Plan means jobs for East Texans and more natural gas moving through our region — and it's a testament to what good stewardship and a streamlined permitting process can deliver. I'm grateful to the Permitting Council and the Trump Administration for getting this across the finish line."
"The FAST‑41 process demonstrates what is possible when all participating agencies are aligned early, remain actively engaged, and commit to a shared outcome,” said Jason Gordeuk, SVP Operations & Drilling for Silver Hill Energy Partners. “Through consistent collaboration and transparency, the team was able to overcome challenges efficiently and advance the project to the finish line."
The Cobra Master Development Plan project consists of the installation of a 20-inch diameter natural gas trunk pipeline and construction of four well locations and associated infrastructure on U.S. Forest Service land, specifically within the Sabine National Forest.
The U.S. Forest Service served as the lead federal permitting agency for this project. Silver Hill Energy Partners is the project sponsor. Learn more on the Federal Permitting Dashboard.
About the Permitting Council and FAST-41
Established in 2015 by Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41), the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) is a federal agency charged with improving the transparency and predictability of the federal environmental review and authorization process for certain critical infrastructure projects. The Permitting Council is composed of the Permitting Council Executive Director, who serves as the Council Chair; 13 federal agency Council members; and the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. The Office of the Executive Director coordinates federal environmental reviews and authorizations for projects that seek and qualify for FAST-41 coverage, which are in turn entitled to comprehensive permitting timetables and transparent, collaborative management of those timetables on the Federal Permitting Dashboard.
Learn more about the Permitting Council at permitting.gov.
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Last Updated: Friday, June 5, 2026