Maturing shale plays, decarbonization, and energy transition are driving consolidation and other changes that are reshaping the midstream and NGL industries. ADI Analytics provides expert consulting and data-driven insights to help clients thrive in the evolving midstream sector, from wellhead to burner tip.
The midstream sector is the critical link in the oil and gas supply chain. It handles transportation and processing of various hydrocarbons from wellheads and oilfields through gas gathering, natural gas processing, and natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionation systems and regional, international, and local distribution pipelines to power plants, refineries, and export terminals.
Refined products also rely on midstream infrastructure, including petroleum product pipelines, blending and distribution terminals, and shipping routes. Finally, critical midstream infrastructure feeds liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, LPG, and ethane export terminals globally.
The North American oil and gas midstream sector, after significant investment in infrastructure to support shale production growth, is now challenged by maturing shale plays and growing decarbonization pressures. This is leading to expiring contracts, lower volumes, and tariff changes, coupled with greater regulatory and investor focus on ESG and sustainability.
Expanding pipeline networks and export terminals also faces increasing difficulty due to regulatory obstacles, environmental concerns, and public opposition. Further, the energy transition is reshaping the sector as stakeholders push for cleaner operations and a shift from fossil fuels, driving investments in CCUS, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen.
Consequently, midstream companies are consolidating and pursuing operational efficiencies through mergers and acquisitions to enhance competitiveness, optimize assets, and ensure long-term viability in the evolving energy market.
How ADI helps
At ADI Analytics, we provide expert consulting services supported by robust databases, analytics, and models across midstream and NGL value chains. Explore our core service offerings:
- Asset valuation for midstream assets (pipelines, processing, storage) using methods like DCF and precedent transactions along with rigorous due diligence for M&A, covering technical, commercial, and financial aspects.
- Commercial strategy and optimization by development of transportation service (TSA), terminal use (TUA), and sales and purchase (SPA) agreements, transportation tariffs, and NGL marketing strategies coupled with risk assessment for gathering, fractionation, storage, and other midstream infrastructure.
- Midstream capacity and services procurement via fuel hedging strategies, management of RFPs for pipeline capacity and processing deals, analysis of basis differentials, and benchmarking of commercial terms.
- Market entry and business development, including assessment of greenfield/brownfield opportunities in gathering, processing, and storage; development of market entry strategies and business models; and performance of due diligence on potential joint venture partners.
- Market assessment and forecasting covering regional analysis of natural gas and NGL markets (supply basins, demand centers), price forecasts at key hubs (Henry Hub, Mont Belvieu), takeaway capacity evaluations, and flow analysis.
- Project and infrastructure development with support for navigating midstream regulations (FERC, state), feasibility studies for compression, dehydration, and other infrastructure, development of project economics and financial models (rate cases), and handling of technology evaluation/vendor selection (amine treating, cryogenic processing).
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