Dec 18, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

East Daley: Significant Increases in U.S. Oil and Gas Production to Boost U.S. Midstream Sector in 2018

East Daley Capital Advisors, Inc., an energy assets research and data firm redefining how markets view risk in midstream and exploration and production (E&P) companies, released a new report identifying key factors that are poised to give a much-needed boost to the U.S. oil and gas midstream sector in 2018. The newly released report, “2018 Guidance Outlook: Opportunities Abound for Midstream Investors,” shows how anticipated increases in production in crude oil and natural gas will have a positive impact on many well-positioned midstream companies in 2018.

“The most influential midstream theme in 2018 is our forecast for significant oil and gas production growth,” said Justin Carlson, VP and Managing Director, Research at East Daley Capital. “The main lag with production in 2017 has been the long lead time for contracting frac crews needed to complete the newly-drilled wells. We see that changing dramatically in 2018. We do not anticipate that being an issue next year as field service providers are really ramping up their frac fleets. Completions will increase significantly in 2018.”

The report says the Bakken formation, located primarily in North Dakota, will rebound from 2017 levels and midstream companies located in that region will benefit greatly. East Daley sees a turnaround in the Bakken as rig activity has increased steadily throughout 2017 as crude prices stabilized. Given current prices, guidance from producers and service companies, and the stable forward curve, EDC forecasts that well completions in the Bakken will continue to grow, leading to robust basin growth in 2018. The forecasted production growth will positively impact basin midstream companies such as ONEOK (OKE), Kinder Morgan (KMI), Targa (TRGP), Enbridge (EEP), and Tallgrass (TEP).

“The Marcellus will continue to be the best location for midstream companies exposed to natural gas,” said Carlson. “Production in the Northeast is poised to ramp up significantly in 2018 as new pipeline projects debottleneck the region. Given our optimistic forecast for Northeast gas production, midstream companies levered to the area such as Energy Transfer (ETP), MPLX (MPLX), EQT Midstream (EQM), Williams (WPZ), Antero Midstream (AM), and Rice Midstream (RMP) should continue to benefit.”

Key findings from the 2018 Guidance Outlook:

  • East Daley’s analysis indicates that impending 2018 midstream financial guidance announcements could deviate significantly from market expectations
  • East Daley’s 2018 overall adjusted-EBITDA forecasts skew positive vs. current market consensus, indicating midstream sentiment may be too pessimistic
  • Pessimistic midstream sentiment, higher production growth, and natural gas contract risk are three major themes that will drive the midstream sector in 2018

To access a complimentary copy of East Daley’s 2018 Guidance Outlook go to http://eastdaley.com/2018-midstream-guidance/ or email insight@eastdaley.com.

East Daley’s largest asset database of U.S. energy infrastructure and patent-pending production allocation model, combined with in-depth analysis, brings greater transparency to the midstream energy financial market by providing investors with deeper, more accurate data to inform their investment decisions.

About East Daley Capital Advisors, Inc.

East Daley Capital is an energy assets research firm that is redefining how markets view risk for midstream and exploration and production (E&P) companies. In addition to using top-level financial data to predict a company’s performance, East Daley delivers asset-level analysis that provides comprehensive, fact-based intelligence. Supported by a team of unbiased, experienced research analysts, East Daley provides its clients unparalleled insight into how midstream and E&P companies operate and generate cash flow. East Daley uses publicly available fundamental data and intersects that data with a company’s reported financials to asset-level adjusted-EBITDA and discounted cash flow (DCF). The result allows for more informed portfolio decisions. Founded in 2014, the company is based in Centennial, Colorado. For more information visit http://www.eastdaley.com.