Marathon Petroleum Heads These 3 Top Pipeline Stocks To Watch

Oil prices are climbing again as conflict around Iran threatens tanker routes and tightens crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz. When energy gets more expensive and supply routes look fragile, infrastructure that can move and store hydrocarbons inside the US starts to look more valuable to the market. This article explores three midstream pipeline operators that sit at the heart of that story and explains what sets each one apart.

The three stocks profiled below are just a sample, with the full screen surfacing 19 more US midstream oil and gas pipeline operators that carry similarly compelling stories around Trump’s early 2025 energy orders and the renewed push to move more hydrocarbons across the country. To go straight to the full list and start sorting through potential high conviction plays yourself, analyze and filter the US midstream pipeline universe inside the US Midstream Oil and Gas Pipeline Operators screener.

Marathon Petroleum (MPC)

Marathon Petroleum ties the midstream pipeline story directly into a huge US refining and fuel marketing network, giving it both the assets to move more hydrocarbons and the customer base to keep those pipes and storage tanks busy if policy keeps pushing for more American energy infrastructure.

Marathon Petroleum runs an integrated US-focused downstream operation that generated about US$144.6b from Refining & Marketing, US$11.7b from Midstream and US$3.4b from Renewable Diesel, and carries a market value of roughly US$121.4b.

"Expansion and acceleration of natural gas and NGL midstream projects at MPLX, including increased 2026 growth capex to US$2.9b and additional processing and fractionation capacity tied to LNG, power and industrial demand, are positioned to support mid single digit EBITDA growth and distribution growth that are already visible in projected cash flows and earnings."

What really matters now is how one unresolved pressure on future margins and cash returns ultimately resolves for Marathon Petroleum investors.

That unresolved pressure is exactly where the story gets interesting, and the full narrative for Marathon Petroleum explains how those moving pieces could reshape cash returns and capital priorities.

Chevron (CVX)

Chevron plugs the midstream story into a much broader global energy machine, combining US pipelines, storage, and LNG logistics with a large refining, chemicals, and fuel marketing footprint that can directly use any policy driven push to move more hydrocarbons through American infrastructure.

Chevron runs integrated Upstream and Downstream businesses that produced about US$55.1b from International Upstream, US$52.6b from US Upstream, US$82.5b from US Downstream, and US$78.8b from International Downstream, and carries a market value near US$407.2b.

"Pipelines and storage facilities will be critical to moving larger volumes of oil and gas efficiently, especially with the renewed emphasis on LNG exports to meet global demand."

What moves the Chevron story from solid to potentially powerful for this theme is how one assumption about future cash returns actually plays out.

That unresolved assumption around future cash returns is exactly what the full narrative for Chevron unpacks, highlighting where Chevron's pipeline build out could accelerate value or quietly limit the upside.

SunocoCorp (SUNC)

SunocoCorp runs fuel distribution and retail services across North America, the Greater Caribbean, and Europe, while its Pipeline Systems segment operates roughly 14,000 miles of pipelines and 160 terminals that fit directly into the midstream theme. Fuel Distribution contributes about US$38.8b, Terminals US$1.7b, Pipeline Systems US$800m, and the business is valued near US$3.9b.

SunocoCorp provides exposure to a large, theme-linked pipeline and terminal grid wrapped inside a much bigger fuel distribution operation, so the midstream component sits on top of a high-volume core. That mix places significant focus on what happens when throughput and pricing on that 14,000 mile network become more important for cash returns.

As that midstream piece grows more important, review the 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs (1 is major!) to see how SunocoCorp’s pipeline upside stacks against the pressure points that really matter.

Seeking Alternatives Beyond Pipelines?

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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