ONEOK Gains From Fee-Based Earnings and Strategic Investments

Core Insights - ONEOK Inc. (OKE) is benefiting from increased fee-based earnings and capital expenditures aimed at strengthening its position in high-production regions [1][8] - The company is exposed to competitive risks in its pipeline business [1][6] Positive Drivers for OKE - ONEOK is expected to gain from long-term fee-based commitments across its three segments: Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, and Natural Gas Pipelines and Refined Products and Crude [2] - More than 88% of its 2024 earnings are fee-based, with over 90% of 2025 revenues anticipated to come from fees [2][8] - The annual growth rate for natural gas liquid volumes from the Rocky Mountain region has exceeded 20%, while natural gas processing volumes have grown at 10% over the past five years [2] Capital Expenditures and Expansion - The company is investing in organic-growth projects to expand its services for crude-oil and natural-gas producers, with capital expenditures expected to be between $2.8 billion and $3.2 billion in 2025 [3] - In February 2025, ONEOK and MPLX LP formed joint ventures to construct a new 400,000 barrel-per-day liquefied petroleum gas export terminal in Texas City, along with a new pipeline connecting to its Mont Belvieu storage facility [4] Headwinds for OKE - ONEOK does not own all the land for its pipelines, which poses risks of incurring higher costs and potential operational impacts if land rights are not renewed [5] - The natural gas and natural gas liquid pipeline industries are highly competitive, with many energy companies forming master limited partnerships to launch pipeline services [6] Stock Performance - Over the past year, OKE shares have increased by 6.1%, compared to the industry's growth of 14.1% [7]