The vast, hidden network of pipelines moving energy across the United States and beyond

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Enterprise Products Partners operates a massive midstream infrastructure network spanning 51,000 miles of pipelines. From natural gas liquids to crude oil, this Houston-based giant facilitates the movement of essential fuels. Yet, beneath the scale of these operations lies a complex history of technical failures, environmental incidents, and industrial challenges.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Enterprise Products Partners L.P. functions as a major midstream player in the energy sector. The company, which ranked 89th in the 2026 Fortune 500, manages an extensive portfolio of assets. This includes 19,400 miles of natural gas liquids pipelines, 19,600 miles of natural gas pipelines, and thousands of miles dedicated to crude oil and propylene. Beyond transport, the firm maintains significant storage capabilities, holding 177 million barrels of NGL capacity and 27 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage.

The operational footprint of the company is not without significant risk. Over the past two decades, the firm has faced numerous infrastructure failures, ranging from pipeline ruptures to facility explosions. Notable incidents include a 2015 ethane pipeline explosion in West Virginia that consumed over 1.2 million gallons of product, and a 2020 incident in Corpus Christi where a dredging vessel struck a submerged propane pipeline, resulting in five fatalities. Other failures have been attributed to internal corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and even legacy issues like a 1928-era weld failure that caused a 2011 fire.

Environmental oversight remains a critical concern, particularly as infrastructure ages or interacts with local ecosystems. In December 2024, a pipeline leak near Durango, Colorado, released 23,000 gallons of gasoline, impacting private wells and threatening the nearby Animas River with benzene seepage. These events highlight the ongoing tension between the necessity of energy logistics and the physical vulnerabilities inherent in maintaining such a sprawling, high-pressure network across diverse terrains.

The company's leadership has evolved significantly since its founding. Dan Duncan served as the majority owner until his death in 2010, after which his heirs inherited his stake. Executive management has seen several transitions, including the appointments of Ralph S. Cunningham in 2005, Michael A. Creel, and later A. J. Teague and W. Randall Fowler. These leaders have navigated the company through acquisitions, such as the 2004 purchase of GulfTerra and the 2010 integration of Enterprise GP Holdings.

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