The midstream sector is the critical artery of the oil and gas industry. It manages the transportation and processing of hydrocarbons through gas gathering, NGL fractionation, and extensive pipeline networks. This infrastructure is essential for feeding power plants, refineries, and global export terminals for LNG, crude oil, and ethane.
ADI Analytics provides expert consulting and data-driven insights to help midstream stakeholders succeed in this dynamic environment, offering support across the entire value chain—from gathering and processing to regional and global distribution.
Navigating the evolving midstream infrastructure landscape
The midstream and NGL industries are undergoing a significant transformation driven by maturing shale plays, decarbonization, and large-scale energy transition initiatives. To thrive, companies must navigate shifting commodity flows, regulatory complexities, and the push for operational efficiency.
Overcoming regulatory and market headwinds
Operators face mounting challenges, including expiring contracts, lower volumes, and tariff changes. Expanding networks is increasingly difficult due to regulatory obstacles and environmental concerns. Furthermore, the energy transition is driving a shift toward cleaner operations, necessitating investments in CCUS, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen.
Driving efficiency through strategic consolidation
To ensure long-term viability, midstream companies are pursuing consolidation and mergers to enhance competitiveness. Optimizing existing assets and adopting new technologies for dehydration, compression, and emissions management are vital steps in maintaining a competitive edge in an evolving 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).
ADI Analytics conducted an integrated assessment of NGL production, pipeline infrastructure, and gas processing capacity to support strategic planning for an oil and gas producer. The client An independent oil and gas production company evaluating midstream and processing opportunities across key U.S. shale plays. The situation The client sought to understand NGL production trends, infrastructure […]
This research quantified the global addressable market for drag reducing agents (DRA) across crude oil, refined product, and heavy oil pipelines. ADI assessed the economic trade-offs between chemical additive injection and infrastructure expansion (looping or pump station upgrades) under varying production scenarios. The study evaluated competitive dynamics among key chemical producers and the operational requirements […]
ADI executed a targeted assessment of the global addressable market for centralized operations and remote monitoring services at gas processing facilities. The study quantified an adoption curve through a 10-year period, specifically evaluating how predictive maintenance and aftermarket spare parts management reduce downtime in hazardous or labor-constrained regions. Analysis highlighted the cultural and technical trade-offs […]
ADI executed a primary research program involving 15 in-depth interviews with experts at global operators like Saudi Aramco, Shell, and Chevron to assess technology recognition in the gas processing sector. The work benchmarked technologies including GSP, RSV, and SCORE to understand operator prioritization. Findings surfaced a critical disconnect between the technology providers and operators, as […]
ADI conducted detailed market research for a non-destructive testing (NDT) technology, analyzing its application in difficult-to-pig subsea flowlines. The work evaluated the competitive landscape between established tools like pulsed eddy current and startups using magnetometry tomographic methods. Global asset growth rates and ROV inspection speeds were modeled to estimate a market size and develop an […]
ADI assessed the market value of natural gas and hydrogen storage assets near the U.S. Gulf Coast through a detailed analysis of regional pipeline interconnects and seasonal spreads. The work evaluated the premium commanded by high-deliverability salt caverns and the technical constraints of repurposing infrastructure for hydrogen. The client Natural gas midstream operator The situation […]
This study investigated value-creation levers for midstream asset optimization in U.S. shale basins. ADI modeled the transition from keep-whole to fee-based contracts, their relative share, and analyzed how these structures shift operator focus toward operational efficiency and opex optimization. The research emphasized the risk of contract cliffs and the role of asset optimization software in […]
To quantify addressable opportunities for midstream services, ADI modeled capital and operational expenditures across North American gathering, transportation, distribution and storage assets. The study evaluated infrastructure constraints in the Permian and Appalachian basins, specifically addressing how rising maintenance needs on aging infrastructure offset cyclical volatility in new project FIDs. Proprietary spend curves were applied to […]
ADI conducted an in-depth evaluation of non-destructive testing (NDT) opportunities across a global pipeline network. The research integrated granular construction outlooks for gas transmission lines with emerging requirements in CCUS and nuclear power cooling systems to determine service demand over a 10-year period. Analysis prioritized regions such as the Asia Pacific and North America where […]
ADI executed a voice-of-customer study involving 50 interviews to benchmark a leading modular gas processing product line against global competitors. The research mapped regional buyer preferences. Findings defined the commercial trade-offs between “off-the-shelf” repeatability and the custom engineering requirements typical of hazardous overseas environments. The client Global modular plant manufacturer The situation A recent acquisition […]
ADI conducted a comprehensive assessment of the addressable market for NGL fractionation capacity over a 10-year period. The research analyzed distinct trends in demand regions like Mont Belvieu, Appalachia, and the Permian. This study surfaced the technical trade-offs between standardization and speed-to-market, and the competitive advantage of various EPC firms. The client Global equipment and […]
This assessment examined the slow-growing global addressable market for nitrogen rejection units (NRUs) over a 10-year period. ADI analyzed the technical trade-offs between pressure swing adsorption and membranes, specifically for upstream fields where nitrogen content exceeds saleable pipeline specs of 4-6 mol%. The research emphasized challenges to NRU adoption. The client Industrial gas and technology […]
ADI Analytics developed ethane pricing forecasts and strategic implications to support a midstream client’s annual planning process. The client A midstream oil and gas company seeking to understand ethane price dynamics under various market scenarios. The situation The client needed a robust view of ethane supply, demand, and pricing outlooks to inform near- and medium-term […]
ADI Analytics provided market research and entry strategy support to a major midstream company evaluating investment opportunities in the DJ Basin. The client A leading midstream operator considering strategic entry into the DJ Basin through greenfield or partnership-based investments. The situation The client needed a data-driven view of supply, demand, competitive positioning, and growth potential […]
This assessment utilized a structured modeling framework to size the total addressable market for recompression units across U.S. pipeline infrastructure. ADI evaluated the interplay between aging assets, specifically those over 20 years old, and intensifying regulatory mandates like the PIPES Act of 2020 and the Gas Mega Rule. The study surfaced critical operational trade-offs between […]
ADI investigated the structural shift in midstream commercial transactions, specifically the migration from keep-whole to fee-based contractual frameworks. The project involved a deep dive into SEC filings and senior executive interviews to benchmark average remaining contract lives and minimum volume commitments (MVCs) across 18 major operators. Findings surfaced the inherent commodity price risks remaining in […]
This study analyzed the surge in associated gas production from the Permian and Appalachia regions to forecast NGL supply through a ten-year horizon. ADI evaluated the gap between rising ethane demand from a new wave of ethylene crackers and regional fractionation capacity constraints at major hubs like Mont Belvieu. The work emphasized the technical and […]
ADI Analytics did an incredible job developing a thesis for our investments in the Marcellus. Highly-reliable source for the insight on the shale gas and energy and chemicals industries.
Bill Hall
Director, Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Part of ADI Analytics’ ongoing coverage of the implications of the Iran conflict across oil & gas, LNG, refined products, and chemicals. The UAE’s exit from OPEC (see our prior blog) in late April 2026 reflects a decisive shift toward a volume‑driven strategy focused on monetizing its hydrocarbon resource base ahead of the global energy […]
Part of ADI Analytics’ ongoing coverage of the implications of the Iran conflict across oil & gas, LNG, refined products, and chemicals. On April 28, 2026, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it was quitting the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the producer group created in 1960 to coordinate and unify petroleum supply […]
In the May 2026 edition, ADI examines why oil prices, lifted by Iran-related risks, are expected to ease back into the sixty-dollar range as fundamentals reassert, while helium markets tighten amid Middle East disruptions and Russian export limits. At the same time, SLB’s acquisition of S&P Global’s upstream software highlights accelerating digital momentum, as rising […]
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