Wells Fargo Updates 2026 Assumptions for Western Midstream (WES)

Core Viewpoint - Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:WES) is recognized as one of the best dividend stocks to buy in February, despite recent adjustments in financial projections and contract renegotiations with Occidental Petroleum [1][2]. Financial Adjustments - Wells Fargo analyst Ned Baramov has lowered the price target for Western Midstream from $40 to $39, maintaining an Equal Weight rating, reflecting updated assumptions for 2026, including lower expected operating cash flow and reduced capital spending [2]. - The adjustments also account for a smaller unit count and distributions, alongside anticipated cost savings [2]. Contract Renegotiations - Western Midstream has renegotiated contracts with Occidental Petroleum regarding its Delaware Basin assets, shifting to a fixed-fee structure for natural gas gathering [3]. - Occidental will transfer 15.3 million common units back to Western Midstream, valued at approximately $610 million, reducing its ownership stake to about 40% [3][4]. Revenue Structure - Following the contract changes, approximately 9% of Western's revenue will still come from cost-of-service arrangements, with most contracts set to expire between the late 2020s and mid-to-late 2030s, potentially transitioning to fixed-fee terms [4]. - The previous fee structure was based on the cost of providing services plus a regulated return, while the new agreement stipulates a fixed rate payment from Occidental [4]. New Agreements - Western Midstream has also entered into a new natural gas gathering and processing agreement with ConocoPhillips for a portion of its Delaware Basin volumes [5].