Company Description
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET) is a publicly traded limited partnership that owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States. According to company disclosures, its network includes approximately 140,000 miles of pipeline and associated energy infrastructure spanning 44 states, with assets in all major U.S. production basins. Energy Transfer’s core business is in the midstream segment of the energy value chain, focused on moving and handling natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil and refined products.
The partnership’s operations include natural gas midstream services, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage, as well as crude oil, NGL and refined product transportation and terminalling. It also conducts NGL fractionation, which separates mixed NGL streams into individual components. Through these activities, Energy Transfer provides infrastructure that links producing regions to refineries, processing facilities and demand centers.
Business model and core operations
Energy Transfer describes its core operations as a set of complementary assets that cover multiple stages of the midstream sector. These include:
- Natural gas midstream – gathering and related services that connect production to larger pipeline systems.
- Intrastate and interstate natural gas transportation and storage – pipelines and storage facilities that move and hold natural gas within and across state lines.
- Crude oil, NGL and refined product transportation and terminalling – pipelines and terminals that move and stage liquid hydrocarbons and refined fuels.
- NGL fractionation – facilities that process mixed NGL streams into separate products.
In addition to its directly operated assets, Energy Transfer holds significant ownership and governance interests in other publicly traded partnerships. It owns the general partner interests, incentive distribution rights and a substantial common unit position in Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN), and the general partner interests and a large common unit position in USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC). These interests provide exposure to fuel distribution and compression services alongside its own pipeline and midstream activities.
Geographic footprint and asset base
Energy Transfer reports that its strategic network extends across 44 U.S. states and covers all major domestic production basins. The partnership’s assets include extensive natural gas gathering and transportation infrastructure, as well as pipelines and terminals for liquids and refined products. This broad footprint is presented by the company as a platform for serving multiple regions and end markets within the United States.
The partnership’s SEC filings list its principal executive offices in Dallas, Texas, and its common units and preferred units trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols ET and ETprI, respectively.
Capital structure and financing activity
Energy Transfer regularly accesses the capital markets to support its operations and manage its balance sheet. Recent SEC filings describe offerings of senior notes and junior subordinated notes under shelf registration statements. The partnership has issued multiple series of long-dated notes and has stated that net proceeds are used to refinance existing indebtedness, repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility and commercial paper program, and for general partnership purposes.
These transactions are documented in Form 8-K filings that outline underwriting agreements, note terms, and the use of proceeds. The filings also note that financial institutions involved in underwriting may be lenders under the partnership’s credit facilities and dealers in its commercial paper program.
Relationship with Sunoco LP and USA Compression Partners
Company disclosures state that Energy Transfer owns the general partner interests, incentive distribution rights and a significant common unit stake in Sunoco LP, an energy infrastructure and fuel distribution master limited partnership. Sunoco’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer. Energy Transfer also owns the general partner interests and a substantial common unit position in USA Compression Partners, LP. Through these holdings, Energy Transfer participates in the governance and economics of these affiliated entities.
Regulatory reporting and investor communications
Energy Transfer files regular reports and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. The partnership uses Form 8-K to report material events such as:
- Pricing and completion of debt offerings.
- Quarterly and annual financial and operating results.
- Changes in distributions on common units.
- Management presentations and investor conference participation.
- Certain governance and board changes.
Press releases referenced in these filings provide additional detail on capital investment plans, outlook for Adjusted EBITDA, and project updates. The partnership also holds conference calls and webcasts to discuss earnings and provide company updates.
Industry classification
Based on the provided classification, Energy Transfer operates in the Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas industry within the broader Transportation and Warehousing sector. Its activities, however, extend beyond natural gas to include NGLs, crude oil and refined products, as described in company communications.
Frequently asked questions about Energy Transfer LP
- What does Energy Transfer LP do?
Energy Transfer LP owns and operates energy infrastructure assets in the United States, including natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage, crude oil and NGL pipelines and terminals, refined product transportation and terminalling, and NGL fractionation, as described in its public statements. - Where does Energy Transfer operate?
The partnership reports that its strategic network spans 44 U.S. states and includes assets in all major U.S. production basins, supported by approximately 140,000 miles of pipeline and related infrastructure. - On which exchange is Energy Transfer traded and what is its ticker?
Energy Transfer’s common units trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ET. Its 9.250% Series I Fixed Rate Perpetual Preferred Units trade on the NYSE under the symbol ETprI, as noted in SEC filings. - What is Energy Transfer’s relationship with Sunoco LP?
Energy Transfer states that it owns the general partner interests, incentive distribution rights and a significant common unit position in Sunoco LP. Sunoco’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer. - What is Energy Transfer’s relationship with USA Compression Partners, LP?
According to company disclosures, Energy Transfer owns the general partner interests and a substantial number of common units of USA Compression Partners, LP. - What types of energy products are handled by Energy Transfer’s assets?
The partnership reports that its core operations involve natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil and refined products, moved and stored through its pipeline and terminal network and processed through NGL fractionation facilities. - How does Energy Transfer raise capital for its operations?
Energy Transfer issues debt securities such as senior notes and junior subordinated notes under shelf registration statements, as described in multiple Form 8-K filings. It has indicated that proceeds are used to refinance existing indebtedness, repay borrowings under its revolving credit facility and commercial paper program, and for general partnership purposes. - How does Energy Transfer communicate financial results?
The partnership announces quarterly and annual financial and operating results through press releases and Form 8-K filings, and it hosts conference calls and webcasts to discuss these results and provide company updates. - What sector and industry is Energy Transfer classified in?
Energy Transfer is classified in the Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas industry within the Transportation and Warehousing sector, based on the provided industry information. - Where is Energy Transfer headquartered?
SEC filings list Energy Transfer LP’s principal executive offices in Dallas, Texas.