Middle East Conflict Drives Global Oil Inventories to 11-Year Low
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 4 days ago
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Global Oil Inventory Decline: The ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has driven global oil inventories to an 11-year low, and it is anticipated that a return to normalcy in the market could take months post-conflict, creating significant uncertainty for investors.
- Price Volatility Impact: Despite fluctuations in oil prices driven by geopolitical news, industry insiders warn that the full impact of the conflict is not yet reflected in oil prices, suggesting that investors should approach this market dynamic with caution.
- Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge: These companies offer dividend yields of 5.5% and 4.8%, respectively, and their financial performance is primarily driven by oil and gas demand rather than oil price volatility, demonstrating stability in an uncertain market.
- North American Market Advantage: With operations based in North America, far from the Middle East conflict, Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge may benefit in the future as other countries reconsider energy security, potentially increasing their business attractiveness.
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Analyst Views on EPD
Wall Street analysts forecast EPD stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 37.500
Low
33.00
Averages
35.17
High
38.00
Current: 37.500
Low
33.00
Averages
35.17
High
38.00
About EPD
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is a provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. Its NGL Pipelines & Services segment includes natural gas processing and related NGL marketing activities, NGL pipelines, NGL fractionation facilities, NGL and related product storage facilities and NGL marine terminals. Its Crude Oil Pipelines & Services segment includes crude oil pipelines, crude oil storage and marine terminals and related crude oil marketing activities. Its Natural Gas Pipelines & Services segment includes natural gas pipeline systems that provide for the gathering, treating and transportation of natural gas. Its Petrochemical & Refined Products Services segment includes propylene production facilities; butane isomerization complex and related deisobutanizer (DIB) operations; octane enhancement, iBDH and HPIB production facilities; refined products pipelines, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Long-Term Investment Outlook for Energy Stocks
- Energy Transition Opportunities: With surging oil prices due to the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, energy stocks have received a strong boost this year, particularly in the midstream sector where pipeline companies benefit from their fee-based models and are expected to see long-term growth.
- Growth Potential of Energy Transfer: Energy Transfer (ET) owns one of the largest midstream systems in the U.S., with a projected capital expenditure budget between $5.5 billion and $5.9 billion for 2023, and its strong position in the Permian Basin is expected to yield mid-teens returns.
- Stability of Enterprise Products Partners: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years and is expected to generate $1 billion in free cash flow this year for debt repayment and stock buybacks, showcasing its robust performance in the midstream space.
- Growth Strategy of Williams Companies: Williams Companies (WMB) plans to invest $7 billion to $7.6 billion in growth projects in 2023, with a backlog of $15.5 billion in transmission projects and $9.6 billion in power solutions, aiming for over 20% return on invested capital and becoming a key energy supplier for AI data centers.
See More
Middle East Conflict Impacts Shell and BP Outlook
- Middle East Conflict Impact: Shell and BP derive 20% and 22% of their production from the Middle East, respectively, with Shell's assets suffering damage due to the conflict; while rising oil prices are beneficial, operational disruptions may affect future earnings.
- Financial Health Comparison: Shell's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.4, significantly lower than BP's 1.3, indicating that Shell possesses greater financial resilience against geopolitical risks, making it a more attractive long-term investment.
- Stock Market Performance Discrepancy: Despite BP's stock rising 22% in 2026 compared to Shell's 15%, BP's high leverage and frequent management changes suggest that the market may not fully recognize Shell's financial advantages.
- Investment Recommendation: For investors looking to avoid Middle Eastern risks, Devon Energy and Enterprise Products Partners present safer alternatives, as they are unaffected by regional conflicts and Enterprise's revenue model is not driven by oil price fluctuations.
See More
Middle East Conflict Disrupts Energy Market
- Market Volatility Impact: The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has disrupted the global energy market, affecting operations for Shell and BP, with approximately 22% of BP's production and 20% of Shell's production exposed to the region, increasing risks despite rising oil prices.
- Financial Health Comparison: BP's debt-to-equity ratio stands at a concerning 1.3x, significantly higher than its peers, while Shell maintains a more robust ratio of 0.4x, indicating Shell's stronger financial position and better resilience amid the conflict.
- Stock Performance Discrepancy: Although BP's stock has risen by 22% in 2026, compared to Shell's 15%, Shell's financial strength suggests it could close the performance gap in the future, especially as market volatility increases.
- Investment Recommendations: For investors looking to avoid Middle Eastern risks, Devon Energy and Enterprise Products Partners present safer alternatives, as they are unaffected by the regional conflict and Enterprise's business model is not driven by energy price fluctuations.
See More
Smart Energy Investments: Enterprise Products and NextEra Energy
- Enterprise Products Advantage: In Q1 2026, Enterprise Products Partners achieved record energy transportation volumes, maintaining a stable 5.5% distribution yield despite oil price volatility, showcasing its robustness and appeal in the energy sector.
- Long-term Distribution Growth: The company has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years since going public, with a distribution covered 1.7 times by distributable cash flow, indicating strong financial health suitable for income-seeking investors.
- NextEra Energy Expansion: NextEra Energy is expanding its scale through the acquisition of Dominion Energy, entering one of the world's largest data center markets, with projected electricity demand growth of 60% from 2025 to 2045, highlighting its forward-looking strategy in renewable energy.
- Attractive Dividend Yield: NextEra Energy offers a 2.8% dividend yield, having increased dividends for over 25 years, with the acquisition expected to enhance its financial position and immediately boost earnings, further solidifying its leadership in the power market.
See More
Middle East Conflict Impacts Energy Markets
- Stable Yield from Enterprise Products: Enterprise Products Partners offers a 5.5% yield, and despite fluctuations in energy prices, its business relies primarily on fees from energy infrastructure usage, showcasing its strong position in the North American midstream market.
- Consistent Distribution Growth: The company has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years since going public, with a distribution covered 1.7 times by distributable cash flow, indicating financial health and attractiveness for long-term investors.
- NextEra Energy's Expansion Plans: NextEra Energy is acquiring competitor Dominion Energy, further increasing its scale in the U.S. and entering one of the largest data center markets globally, which is expected to enhance its financial position and positively impact earnings.
- Growth Potential in Electricity Demand: NextEra projects a 60% increase in electricity demand between 2025 and 2045, contrasting sharply with the 10% growth seen over the past 20 years, highlighting its significance and potential in the future energy market.
See More
Dividend Kings in the Energy Sector
- Dividend Stability: Consolidated Edison, a Dividend King, has increased its dividend for 52 consecutive years, reporting over $2 billion in net income for 2025, demonstrating strong cash flow and profitability, and is expected to maintain a 3.3% dividend yield.
- Diverse Energy Strategy: Enbridge employs an 'all-of-the-above' energy supply strategy and has increased dividends for 31 years, with projected GAAP earnings of CA$7 billion (approximately $5 billion) in 2025, supporting its 4.8% dividend yield through robust earnings.
- Midstream Service Advantage: Enterprise Products Partners operates over 50,000 miles of pipeline, with the global natural gas market expected to grow from $895 billion in 2025 to over $1 trillion by 2033, underpinning its 27 consecutive years of dividend increases.
- High Dividend Yield: Enterprise's dividend yield stands at 5.5%, and despite sustainability concerns typical in the energy sector, it reported net incomes of $5.9 billion in 2024 and $5.8 billion in 2025, indicating stable profitability.
See More
Long-Term Investment Outlook for Energy Stocks
- Energy Transition Opportunities: With surging oil prices due to the war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, energy stocks have received a strong boost this year, particularly in the midstream sector where pipeline companies benefit from their fee-based models and are expected to see long-term growth.
- Growth Potential of Energy Transfer: Energy Transfer (ET) owns one of the largest midstream systems in the U.S., with a projected capital expenditure budget between $5.5 billion and $5.9 billion for 2023, and its strong position in the Permian Basin is expected to yield mid-teens returns.
- Stability of Enterprise Products Partners: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years and is expected to generate $1 billion in free cash flow this year for debt repayment and stock buybacks, showcasing its robust performance in the midstream space.
- Growth Strategy of Williams Companies: Williams Companies (WMB) plans to invest $7 billion to $7.6 billion in growth projects in 2023, with a backlog of $15.5 billion in transmission projects and $9.6 billion in power solutions, aiming for over 20% return on invested capital and becoming a key energy supplier for AI data centers.
See More
Middle East Conflict Impacts Shell and BP Outlook
- Middle East Conflict Impact: Shell and BP derive 20% and 22% of their production from the Middle East, respectively, with Shell's assets suffering damage due to the conflict; while rising oil prices are beneficial, operational disruptions may affect future earnings.
- Financial Health Comparison: Shell's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.4, significantly lower than BP's 1.3, indicating that Shell possesses greater financial resilience against geopolitical risks, making it a more attractive long-term investment.
- Stock Market Performance Discrepancy: Despite BP's stock rising 22% in 2026 compared to Shell's 15%, BP's high leverage and frequent management changes suggest that the market may not fully recognize Shell's financial advantages.
- Investment Recommendation: For investors looking to avoid Middle Eastern risks, Devon Energy and Enterprise Products Partners present safer alternatives, as they are unaffected by regional conflicts and Enterprise's revenue model is not driven by oil price fluctuations.
See More
Middle East Conflict Disrupts Energy Market
- Market Volatility Impact: The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has disrupted the global energy market, affecting operations for Shell and BP, with approximately 22% of BP's production and 20% of Shell's production exposed to the region, increasing risks despite rising oil prices.
- Financial Health Comparison: BP's debt-to-equity ratio stands at a concerning 1.3x, significantly higher than its peers, while Shell maintains a more robust ratio of 0.4x, indicating Shell's stronger financial position and better resilience amid the conflict.
- Stock Performance Discrepancy: Although BP's stock has risen by 22% in 2026, compared to Shell's 15%, Shell's financial strength suggests it could close the performance gap in the future, especially as market volatility increases.
- Investment Recommendations: For investors looking to avoid Middle Eastern risks, Devon Energy and Enterprise Products Partners present safer alternatives, as they are unaffected by the regional conflict and Enterprise's business model is not driven by energy price fluctuations.
See More
Smart Energy Investments: Enterprise Products and NextEra Energy
- Enterprise Products Advantage: In Q1 2026, Enterprise Products Partners achieved record energy transportation volumes, maintaining a stable 5.5% distribution yield despite oil price volatility, showcasing its robustness and appeal in the energy sector.
- Long-term Distribution Growth: The company has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years since going public, with a distribution covered 1.7 times by distributable cash flow, indicating strong financial health suitable for income-seeking investors.
- NextEra Energy Expansion: NextEra Energy is expanding its scale through the acquisition of Dominion Energy, entering one of the world's largest data center markets, with projected electricity demand growth of 60% from 2025 to 2045, highlighting its forward-looking strategy in renewable energy.
- Attractive Dividend Yield: NextEra Energy offers a 2.8% dividend yield, having increased dividends for over 25 years, with the acquisition expected to enhance its financial position and immediately boost earnings, further solidifying its leadership in the power market.
See More
Middle East Conflict Impacts Energy Markets
- Stable Yield from Enterprise Products: Enterprise Products Partners offers a 5.5% yield, and despite fluctuations in energy prices, its business relies primarily on fees from energy infrastructure usage, showcasing its strong position in the North American midstream market.
- Consistent Distribution Growth: The company has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years since going public, with a distribution covered 1.7 times by distributable cash flow, indicating financial health and attractiveness for long-term investors.
- NextEra Energy's Expansion Plans: NextEra Energy is acquiring competitor Dominion Energy, further increasing its scale in the U.S. and entering one of the largest data center markets globally, which is expected to enhance its financial position and positively impact earnings.
- Growth Potential in Electricity Demand: NextEra projects a 60% increase in electricity demand between 2025 and 2045, contrasting sharply with the 10% growth seen over the past 20 years, highlighting its significance and potential in the future energy market.
See More
Dividend Kings in the Energy Sector
- Dividend Stability: Consolidated Edison, a Dividend King, has increased its dividend for 52 consecutive years, reporting over $2 billion in net income for 2025, demonstrating strong cash flow and profitability, and is expected to maintain a 3.3% dividend yield.
- Diverse Energy Strategy: Enbridge employs an 'all-of-the-above' energy supply strategy and has increased dividends for 31 years, with projected GAAP earnings of CA$7 billion (approximately $5 billion) in 2025, supporting its 4.8% dividend yield through robust earnings.
- Midstream Service Advantage: Enterprise Products Partners operates over 50,000 miles of pipeline, with the global natural gas market expected to grow from $895 billion in 2025 to over $1 trillion by 2033, underpinning its 27 consecutive years of dividend increases.
- High Dividend Yield: Enterprise's dividend yield stands at 5.5%, and despite sustainability concerns typical in the energy sector, it reported net incomes of $5.9 billion in 2024 and $5.8 billion in 2025, indicating stable profitability.
See More
