Oil & Energy
Crude, NGL Firms See Firmer Q2 Outlook on Exports, Pricing Tailwinds, TPH Says
Midstream energy companies focusing on natural gas liquids and crude logistics are heading into Q2 on a constructive note, buoyed by robust volume growth, elevated commodity prices, and soaring exports, TPH Energy Research strategists said in a note on Wednesday.TPH Energy Research strategists said the observations were based on industry interactions at the Energy Infrastructure Council conference.AJ O'Donnell, analyst at TPH Energy, said a key driver for the optimistic outlook is the strengthening of liquefied petroleum gas and NGL export fundamentals.O'Donnell said midstream executives said rising engagement with global buyers, especially from Asia, who are increasingly prioritizing supply diversity and security.The soaring demand comes as the market grapples with the impact of prolonged shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. The urgent demand for alternative supply routes has shifted the industry's focus toward infrastructure expansions.TPH said while several new export dock projects are already scheduled to come online over the next few years, executives are focused on the "next wave" of capacity expansions and additional brownfield opportunities.Targa Resources (TRGP) is seeing significant optionality at its Galena Park asset, with potential expansions expected to deliver improving economics as fixed costs are spread across a larger throughput base.The energy firm noted that incremental expansions at the site would yield progressively stronger economics as fixed operational costs are distributed across a larger volume base.Optimism also extended into the crude logistics sector, where Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) is re-evaluating its strategic footprint.Following its recent divestiture of certain NGL assets, the energy firm's management is focusing heavily on organic growth opportunities across its extensive pipeline network connecting the Permian Basin to the US Gulf Coast.Meanwhile, US midstream infrastructure firms are witnessing a robust pipeline of natural gas and power-related projects alongside strengthening demand trends across North America.Kinder Morgan (KMI) is advancing its Gulf Coast Express expansion project, which is expected to come online this quarter, while also progressing its Tennessee Gas Pipeline expansion, originally sized at about 500 million cubic feet per day.Trident Energy also continues to scale its development portfolio, targeting 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of capacity in 2027 and a further 0.5 Bcf/d in 2028, with major contract awards expected to begin in late 2027.DT Midstream (DTM) reported rising Northeast US demand, with its management pointing to about 7.5 Bcf/d of largely utility-scale demand, and noting potential upside from emerging modular power requirements.TPH Energy strategists said the energy firm also highlighted the flexibility of its Midwest Incremental Supply Transportation project, which can source gas from both the Northeast and western supply basins via interconnected pipeline networks.Energy Transfer (ET) said it continues to see strong demand across its system, particularly in the Permian Basin and around Abilene, Texas, where it is positioning itself as a key provider of redundancy and integrated gas services.The company also noted uncertainty around uncontracted "behind-the-pipe" gas volumes, though such volumes remain contractually protected in the near term.On the gas distribution side, Kodiak Gas Services (KGS) plans to grow its base business by 3% to 4% while expanding its power build-out ambitions, citing a 2-gigawatt development pipeline, supported by equipment-sourcing capacity and continued inbound interest in additional megawatt-scale projects.Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy (LNG) continues to advance its Corpus Christi and Sabine Pass liquefaction expansions, Van Everen said, with sufficient commercial agreements in place to support much of the two-train development.Once completed, the projects are expected to add about 6 million metric tons per annum of LNG capacity, with the firm targeting long-term contracted levels near historical averages of about 90%.Elsewhere, Excelerate Energy (EE) pointed to project opportunities in Jamaica, Vietnam and India, as the company looks to deploy floating LNG infrastructure to support emerging gas import markets.Price: $33.66, Change: $-0.65, Percent Change: -1.89%
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