Kinetik Considers Sale Amid Interest from Western Midstream Partners
Kinetik (KNTK), a $7.2B gas pipeline operator with roughly 4,600 miles of pipeline in the Delaware Basin, is considering a sale following interest from Western Midstream Partners (WES), backed by Occidental Petroleum (OXY), The Financial Times' Oliver Barnes and Jamie Smyth report. The potential transaction comes amid a U.S. natural gas boom driven by record production, rising LNG exports, and increased fuel demand for data centers. Kinetik began weighing a sale process to test interest from both strategic and infrastructure buyers after Western Midstream made an approach in recent weeks, people familiar with the matter say, adding that the discussions are at an early stage and no formal bid has been made.
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- Earnings Beat: Occidental Petroleum reported adjusted earnings per share of 31 cents for Q4, surpassing the consensus estimate of 18 cents, indicating strong operational performance that is likely to boost investor confidence.
- Production Capacity Increase: The company achieved a daily production of 1.481 million barrels of oil equivalent, exceeding the high end of its guidance, which signifies a notable enhancement in production efficiency and strengthens its competitive position in the market.
- Debt Reduction: Following the completion of the OxyChem sale, Occidental has reduced its debt by $5.8 billion since mid-December 2025, bringing total debt to $15 billion, thereby improving its financial health and enhancing future investment capabilities.
- Geopolitical Impact: Elevated crude prices due to escalating tensions in Iran have driven oil stocks higher, with Occidental's shares rising 5.31%, reflecting market optimism regarding its future performance amidst geopolitical uncertainties.

- Kinetik's Stock Performance: Kinetik shares have increased by 2.9% following reports of a potential sale.
- Interest from Partners: The rise in stock value comes after an approach from Western Midstream Partners regarding a possible acquisition.
- Positive Market Reaction: Kinetik Holdings (KNTK) saw an 8.6% pre-market increase on Thursday, reflecting investor confidence in the company's potential sale and future growth prospects.
- Sale Process Initiation: According to the Financial Times, Kinetik is preparing a sale process to gauge interest from strategic and infrastructure buyers, which could provide new capital and resource allocation opportunities for the company.
- Significant Growth Potential: Enervus managing director Andrew Gillick highlighted that the Delaware Basin is one of the few remaining growth areas, with increasing demand for natural gas, providing strong support and market outlook for Kinetik's operations.
- Complex Shareholder Structure: Kinetik was formed in 2022 through the merger of Altus Midstream and EagleClaw Midstream, with Blackstone retaining an 18% stake, while Occidental Petroleum (OXY) owns about a third of Western Midstream (WES), indicating its significant position in the industry.

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- Company Overview: Kinetik Holdings has received a stake over interest from Occidental Petroleum-backed Western Midstream Partners.
- Investment Context: This move indicates a strategic partnership or investment opportunity in the energy sector, particularly in petroleum-related ventures.
- Dividend Appeal: As of February 5, Kinetik boasts a dividend yield of 7.85% and recently announced a 4% increase in its quarterly payout to $0.81 per share, demonstrating the company's commitment to shareholder returns and boosting investor confidence.
- Price Recovery: Despite a 36% decline over the past year, Kinetik's stock has surged 14% in the last month, indicating a potential recovery that is attracting attention from long-term investors with higher risk tolerance.
- Project Potential: The ECCC pipeline project is expected to yield results as early as the second quarter, and if natural gas liquids (NGL) volumes remain strong, it could serve as a catalyst for dividend growth, further supporting the company's long-term growth outlook.
- Acquisition Speculation: Market chatter suggests Kinetik could be a takeover target for larger pipeline companies, and while such rumors alone are not a solid investment rationale, a successful transaction could provide additional upside for investors.







