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The crude pricing environment is likely to remain favorable for upstream operations, which in turn could lead to stable transportation and storage demand. Also, rising clean energy demand from the data centers is brightening the prospects for natural gas transportation companies, enhancing the Zacks Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry’s outlook.

The companies belonging to the industry are also benefiting from stable fee-based revenues, since most of the contracts are for long-term. Key players in this industry include Enbridge Inc. (ENB - Free Report), Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI - Free Report), and The Williams Companies Inc. (WMB - Free Report).

About the Industry

The Zacks Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry comprises companies that own and operate midstream energy infrastructure assets. The properties consist of extensive pipeline networks that transport crude oil, liquids, and natural gas. The midstream energy players are also involved in the processing and storing of natural gas.

The companies have interests in natural gas distribution utilities, serving millions of retail customers across North America. Some companies are ramping up investments in renewable energy and power transmission businesses. The firms invested in wind farms, solar energy operations, geothermal projects, and hydroelectric facilities. Thus, with a diversified portfolio of renewable energy projects, the firms have room to generate extra cash flows in addition to stable fee-based revenues from transportation assets.

What's Shaping the Future of Oil & Gas - Production & Pipelines Industry?

Handsome Pipeline Demand: In its latest short-term energy outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) forecasted the spot average price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude at $63.58 per barrel for this year.

Although it is lower than last year’s $76.60 per barrel, per EIA data, the pricing environment of crude in 2025 will probably be favorable for exploration and production activities. This signifies stable demand for crude transportation and storage activities.

Stable Cash Flow Generations: The midstream players are usually booked by shippers for the long-term, thereby generating stable cash flows. The long-term contracts are mostly take-or-pay contracts, meaning shippers have to pay a minimum amount even if they don’t utilize the midstream assets. Thus, cash flow generations are highly predictable, suggesting that the business model is not highly vulnerable to volatility in oil and natural gas prices.

Rising Demand From Data Centers: The natural gas transportation companies, belonging to the industry, are well-positioned to gain from the growing clean energy demand from data centers. This is because, employing their pipeline networks, the midstream companies can transport natural gas to gas-fired power plants, which will provide electricity to the data centers.

The Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects

The Zacks Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines is a 10-stock group within the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #76, which places it in the top 31% of more than 250 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates solid near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

With the prospects remaining favorable, we will present a few stocks that investors can retain or keep an eye on, given their solid potential. But before that, let us take a look at the industry’s recent stock market performance and its valuation.

The Industry Outperforms the S&P 500 & Sector

The Zacks Oil and Gas - Production and Pipelines industry has outperformed the Zacks S&P 500 Composite and the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector over the past year.

The industry has jumped 24.1% over this period compared with the 21.4% rise of the S&P 500 and the broader sector's 9% growth.

One-Year Price Performance

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Industry's Recent Valuation

Based on the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA), a commonly used multiple for valuing oil and gas production and pipeline stocks, the industry has been trading at 13.86X, which is lower than the S&P 500’s 17.95X. It is, however, above the sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 5.05X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 14.94X, as low as 9.31X, and with a median of 12.64X.

Trailing 12-Month Enterprise Value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) Ratio

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

3 Oil & Gas Pipeline Stocks That are Well Poised to Gain

Presented below is brief overview of the previously-mentioned stocks that have strong potential.

Kinder Morgan

This company is a North American midstream energy major, deriving stable fee-based revenues. Importantly, Kinder Morgan has a strong growth potential from growing liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand across the globe. This is because Kinder Morgan, carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating, is responsible for transporting almost 40% of the natural gas that is being supplied to the LNG export facilities of the United States.

Price & Consensus: Kinder Morgan

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Enbridge

This midstream giant’s business model has very low exposure to oil and natural gas price volatility, making its cash flow generation highly predictable. On its second-quarter 2025 earnings call, Enbridge, which carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating, stated that nearly 98% of its EBITDA, representing earnings from core operations, is generated from either long-term contracts with guaranteed minimum payments or midstream networks with regulated cash flows.

Thus, unlike upstream energy companies, Enbridge’s operations are immune to price volatility to a great extent. Thus, cash flow generation from Enbridge’s midstream activities is highly predictable.

Price & Consensus: Enbridge

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The Williams Companies

This company is also a leading midstream player, well-positioned to capitalize on increasing clean energy demand. This is because The Williams Companies has a massive network of natural gas transportation pipelines that transport roughly 33% of the total natural gas used in the United States. 

With a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) at present, The Williams Companies also serves the rising power demand from the expanding data centers.

Price & Consensus: The Williams Companies

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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