Dakota Access Pipeline Receives Final Approval to Continue Operations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 42 minutes ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Approval Granted: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted final approval for the Dakota Access Pipeline to continue operations at its contentious Missouri River crossing, marking a significant milestone nearly a decade after protests nearly halted the project.
- Safety Monitoring Conditions: The approval includes added conditions for leak detection and groundwater monitoring, aimed at reducing risks to Lake Oahe, the Missouri River, and surrounding communities, reflecting a commitment to environmental protection.
- Importance to Energy Infrastructure: Pipeline operator Energy Transfer stated that the pipeline has been safely operating for nearly 10 years since June 2017 and is critical to U.S. energy infrastructure, transporting approximately 750,000 barrels per day.
- Project Investment Scale: With a total investment of $3.8 billion, the project continues to support the U.S. energy market, demonstrating significant economic benefits despite facing years of legal and political challenges.
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Analyst Views on ET
Wall Street analysts forecast ET stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 20.160
Low
17.00
Averages
20.65
High
23.00
Current: 20.160
Low
17.00
Averages
20.65
High
23.00
About ET
Energy Transfer LP owns and operates a diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States, with more than 140,000 miles of pipeline and associated energy infrastructure. The Company’s strategic network spans 44 states with assets in all of the major United States production basins. Its core operations include complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; and NGL fractionation. The Company’s segments include intrastate transportation and storage, interstate transportation and storage, midstream, NGL and refined products transportation and services, crude oil transportation and services, investment in Sunoco LP, investment in USA Compression Partners, LP (USAC), and all other. It also owns Lake Charles LNG Company, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary, which owns an LNG import terminal and regasification facility.
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.
Dakota Access Pipeline Receives Final Approval to Continue Operations
- Approval Granted: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted final approval for the Dakota Access Pipeline to continue operations at its contentious Missouri River crossing, marking a significant milestone nearly a decade after protests nearly halted the project.
- Safety Monitoring Conditions: The approval includes added conditions for leak detection and groundwater monitoring, aimed at reducing risks to Lake Oahe, the Missouri River, and surrounding communities, reflecting a commitment to environmental protection.
- Importance to Energy Infrastructure: Pipeline operator Energy Transfer stated that the pipeline has been safely operating for nearly 10 years since June 2017 and is critical to U.S. energy infrastructure, transporting approximately 750,000 barrels per day.
- Project Investment Scale: With a total investment of $3.8 billion, the project continues to support the U.S. energy market, demonstrating significant economic benefits despite facing years of legal and political challenges.
See More
Energy Transfer LP Reports Strong Q1 2026 Performance
- Significant Performance Growth: Energy Transfer LP achieved a 20% year-over-year growth in Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2026, surpassing market expectations and demonstrating strong performance in the midstream sector, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- EBITDA Guidance Raised: The company raised its 2026 EBITDA guidance by $750 million to a range of $18.2 billion to $18.6 billion, reflecting strong confidence in future demand and highlighting its advantages in long-term natural gas transport contracts.
- Consistent Dividend Increases: Energy Transfer LP has delivered 18 consecutive quarterly distribution increases, with NGL and refined product exports surging 19% year-over-year, which not only enhances cash flow but also boosts its appeal among income-focused investors.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Despite facing a $5.7 billion organic growth capital budget, management characterizes debt leverage as “manageable,” although execution risks remain a concern, particularly against the backdrop of volatility in global energy markets.
See More
High Conviction Dividend Stock Investment Analysis
- Strong Return Potential: Brookfield Renewable expects over 10% annual growth in funds from operations (FFO) per share, which will drive annual dividend growth of 5% to 9%, while its dividend yield exceeds 4%, showcasing the company's robust performance in the renewable energy sector.
- Infrastructure Investment Advantage: Brookfield Infrastructure supports $400 million in new investment opportunities by selling approximately $1 billion in mature assets, anticipating over 10% annual FFO growth per share and 5% to 9% annual dividend growth, reflecting its solid growth strategy in the infrastructure space.
- Energy Transition Expansion: Energy Transfer plans to invest $5.5 billion to $5.9 billion in growth capital projects in 2023, expecting to grow its nearly 7% yielding dividend by 3% to 5% annually, demonstrating strong expansion potential in the North American midstream energy market.
- High Conviction Portfolio: Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Infrastructure, and Energy Transfer are my top dividend stock picks, as their stable cash flows and high-yielding dividends make me confident in doubling my investments, reflecting a long-term commitment to these companies.
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Brookfield Renewable Expects Dividend Growth of 5% to 9%
- Dividend Growth Outlook: Brookfield Renewable expects its dividend to grow by 5% to 9% annually, which will enhance investor confidence and attract more capital inflow, supporting its policy of at least 5% annual increases since 2011.
- Infrastructure Investment Strategy: Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its dividend for 17 consecutive years, achieving a 9% compound annual growth rate, with stable cash flows and long-term contracts providing robust support for future dividend growth.
- Energy Transition Investments: Energy Transfer plans to invest $5.5 billion to $5.9 billion in growth capital projects in 2023, including the construction of several large-scale gas pipelines, which is expected to drive its nearly 7% yielding distribution to grow by 3% to 5% annually.
- Stable Cash Flow Advantage: The trio of Brookfield Renewable, Infrastructure, and Energy Transfer generates stable and growing cash flows, supporting the continuous rise of their high-yield dividends, showcasing strong financial strength and growth potential.
See More
Energy Companies Poised for Increased Demand Amid AI Growth
- Rising Energy Demand: Enbridge is leveraging multiple energy sources to meet the surging power demand driven by AI, with a significant cash flow expected from its agreement with Meta Platforms for renewable energy output.
- Infrastructure Investment: Enterprise Products Partners boasts over 50,000 miles of pipeline and $5.3 billion in capital projects under construction, most of which are anticipated to be operational by the end of 2027, enhancing its market position in natural gas transportation.
- Natural Gas Supply Agreements: Energy Transfer has secured agreements with Entergy and Oracle to provide natural gas transportation services for their data centers, and while its dividend growth is not as robust as others, its 6.6% yield remains attractive to investors.
- Sustainability Challenges: MPLX, as the primary midstream service provider for Marathon Petroleum, faces sustainability concerns with its 7.8% dividend yield, yet its stable cash flow from Marathon offers a solid foundation for future growth.
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Four Dividend Energy Stocks to Consider Now
- Rising Energy Demand: Enbridge is leveraging multiple energy sources to meet the increasing power demand driven by AI, with a deal signed with Meta Platforms expected to start service in summer 2027, generating cash flow exceeding operational costs.
- Infrastructure Investment: Enterprise Products Partners boasts over 50,000 miles of pipeline and $5.3 billion in capital projects under construction, most of which are expected to be operational by the end of 2027, enhancing its infrastructure capabilities in natural gas power supply, with a current dividend yield of 5.6%.
- Supply Chain Opportunities: Energy Transfer, with 140,000 miles of pipeline, is securing natural gas supply agreements with major tech companies; while its dividend growth is less stable than others, its 6.6% yield remains attractive to investors.
- Sustainability Challenges: MPLX serves as the primary midstream provider for Marathon Petroleum, currently offering a 7.8% dividend yield; although its cash flow is relatively predictable, its sustainability requires close monitoring, especially in the context of growing data center demand.
See More
Dakota Access Pipeline Receives Final Approval to Continue Operations
- Approval Granted: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted final approval for the Dakota Access Pipeline to continue operations at its contentious Missouri River crossing, marking a significant milestone nearly a decade after protests nearly halted the project.
- Safety Monitoring Conditions: The approval includes added conditions for leak detection and groundwater monitoring, aimed at reducing risks to Lake Oahe, the Missouri River, and surrounding communities, reflecting a commitment to environmental protection.
- Importance to Energy Infrastructure: Pipeline operator Energy Transfer stated that the pipeline has been safely operating for nearly 10 years since June 2017 and is critical to U.S. energy infrastructure, transporting approximately 750,000 barrels per day.
- Project Investment Scale: With a total investment of $3.8 billion, the project continues to support the U.S. energy market, demonstrating significant economic benefits despite facing years of legal and political challenges.
See More
Energy Transfer LP Reports Strong Q1 2026 Performance
- Significant Performance Growth: Energy Transfer LP achieved a 20% year-over-year growth in Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2026, surpassing market expectations and demonstrating strong performance in the midstream sector, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- EBITDA Guidance Raised: The company raised its 2026 EBITDA guidance by $750 million to a range of $18.2 billion to $18.6 billion, reflecting strong confidence in future demand and highlighting its advantages in long-term natural gas transport contracts.
- Consistent Dividend Increases: Energy Transfer LP has delivered 18 consecutive quarterly distribution increases, with NGL and refined product exports surging 19% year-over-year, which not only enhances cash flow but also boosts its appeal among income-focused investors.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Despite facing a $5.7 billion organic growth capital budget, management characterizes debt leverage as “manageable,” although execution risks remain a concern, particularly against the backdrop of volatility in global energy markets.
See More
High Conviction Dividend Stock Investment Analysis
- Strong Return Potential: Brookfield Renewable expects over 10% annual growth in funds from operations (FFO) per share, which will drive annual dividend growth of 5% to 9%, while its dividend yield exceeds 4%, showcasing the company's robust performance in the renewable energy sector.
- Infrastructure Investment Advantage: Brookfield Infrastructure supports $400 million in new investment opportunities by selling approximately $1 billion in mature assets, anticipating over 10% annual FFO growth per share and 5% to 9% annual dividend growth, reflecting its solid growth strategy in the infrastructure space.
- Energy Transition Expansion: Energy Transfer plans to invest $5.5 billion to $5.9 billion in growth capital projects in 2023, expecting to grow its nearly 7% yielding dividend by 3% to 5% annually, demonstrating strong expansion potential in the North American midstream energy market.
- High Conviction Portfolio: Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Infrastructure, and Energy Transfer are my top dividend stock picks, as their stable cash flows and high-yielding dividends make me confident in doubling my investments, reflecting a long-term commitment to these companies.
See More
Brookfield Renewable Expects Dividend Growth of 5% to 9%
- Dividend Growth Outlook: Brookfield Renewable expects its dividend to grow by 5% to 9% annually, which will enhance investor confidence and attract more capital inflow, supporting its policy of at least 5% annual increases since 2011.
- Infrastructure Investment Strategy: Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its dividend for 17 consecutive years, achieving a 9% compound annual growth rate, with stable cash flows and long-term contracts providing robust support for future dividend growth.
- Energy Transition Investments: Energy Transfer plans to invest $5.5 billion to $5.9 billion in growth capital projects in 2023, including the construction of several large-scale gas pipelines, which is expected to drive its nearly 7% yielding distribution to grow by 3% to 5% annually.
- Stable Cash Flow Advantage: The trio of Brookfield Renewable, Infrastructure, and Energy Transfer generates stable and growing cash flows, supporting the continuous rise of their high-yield dividends, showcasing strong financial strength and growth potential.
See More
Energy Companies Poised for Increased Demand Amid AI Growth
- Rising Energy Demand: Enbridge is leveraging multiple energy sources to meet the surging power demand driven by AI, with a significant cash flow expected from its agreement with Meta Platforms for renewable energy output.
- Infrastructure Investment: Enterprise Products Partners boasts over 50,000 miles of pipeline and $5.3 billion in capital projects under construction, most of which are anticipated to be operational by the end of 2027, enhancing its market position in natural gas transportation.
- Natural Gas Supply Agreements: Energy Transfer has secured agreements with Entergy and Oracle to provide natural gas transportation services for their data centers, and while its dividend growth is not as robust as others, its 6.6% yield remains attractive to investors.
- Sustainability Challenges: MPLX, as the primary midstream service provider for Marathon Petroleum, faces sustainability concerns with its 7.8% dividend yield, yet its stable cash flow from Marathon offers a solid foundation for future growth.
See More
Four Dividend Energy Stocks to Consider Now
- Rising Energy Demand: Enbridge is leveraging multiple energy sources to meet the increasing power demand driven by AI, with a deal signed with Meta Platforms expected to start service in summer 2027, generating cash flow exceeding operational costs.
- Infrastructure Investment: Enterprise Products Partners boasts over 50,000 miles of pipeline and $5.3 billion in capital projects under construction, most of which are expected to be operational by the end of 2027, enhancing its infrastructure capabilities in natural gas power supply, with a current dividend yield of 5.6%.
- Supply Chain Opportunities: Energy Transfer, with 140,000 miles of pipeline, is securing natural gas supply agreements with major tech companies; while its dividend growth is less stable than others, its 6.6% yield remains attractive to investors.
- Sustainability Challenges: MPLX serves as the primary midstream provider for Marathon Petroleum, currently offering a 7.8% dividend yield; although its cash flow is relatively predictable, its sustainability requires close monitoring, especially in the context of growing data center demand.
See More
