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Mplx LP: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 7 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA rose in the quarter: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to MPLX was $1,775 million, compared with $1,690 million a year earlier. Net income attributable to MPLX was $1,077 million, compared with $1,048 million. Source
  • Pipeline throughput fell four percent: Total pipeline throughput was 5,876 mbpd, compared with 6,103 mbpd, down 4%. Crude oil pipelines fell 5% to 3,830 mbpd, and product pipelines fell 2% to 2,046 mbpd. Source
  • Segment adjusted EBITDA up $62 million: Segment adjusted EBITDA was $614 million, compared with $552 million, up 11%. Management cited higher volumes, including equity affiliate growth and acquisitions, partly offset by 2025 divestitures. Source
  • Adjusted FCF after distributions negative: Adjusted free cash flow after distributions was negative $424 million, against $154 million a year earlier. The six-month figure was negative $968 million. Source
  • Distribution coverage fell to 1.3x: The distribution per common unit was $1.0765, with coverage of 1.3x, against 1.5x a year earlier. Total LP distributions declared were $1,092 million, against $975 million. Source
  • Leverage ratio rose to 3.7x: The leverage ratio was 3.7x at quarter-end, against 3.1x a year earlier. It was also 3.7x at December 31, 2025. Source

“Our second quarter operational performance reflects the consistent progression of our strategic initiatives, as we complete and integrate growth projects across our natural gas and NGL value chains to meet growing global demand,”

Maryann Mannen, MPLX chairman, president and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Distribution growth Source2026 and 202712.5% increasesKept
Leverage capacity Sourcenot stated4.0xKept
Harmon Creek III start-up Source3Q26beginning operations in August 2026Kept
Titan Complex sour gas treating Source4Q26over 400 MMcf/dKept
BANGL NGL pipeline expansion Source4Q26300 mbpdKept
Blackcomb Pipeline Source4Q262.5 Bcf/dKept
Bay Runner pipeline Source3Q26up to 5.3 Bcf/dKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: The 2026 growth capital spending figure was raised by $500 million to $2.9 billion from the prior $2.4 billion plan. Source
  • New: Secretariat I, a 200 MMcf/d Delaware Basin gas processing plant, was placed in service in April 2026. Source
  • New: The Blackcomb Pipeline began commissioning in July 2026, with 4Q26 still listed as the in-service timing. Source
  • New: A pipeline listed as Bay Runner Twin, in service 2029, is named in this release; the prior release named it Rio Bravo with the same 2029 timing. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Adjusted EBITDA rose in the quarter: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to MPLX was $1,775 million, compared with $1,690 million a year earlier. Net income attributable to MPLX was $1,077 million, compared with $1,048 million. Source
  • Six-month net income was lower: Six-month net income attributable to MPLX was $1,989 million, against $2,174 million for the first half of 2025. Six-month adjusted EBITDA rose to $3,504 million from $3,447 million. Source
  • Diluted per-unit income was $1.06: Diluted net income per limited partner unit was $1.06 for the quarter, against $1.03 a year earlier. Six-month diluted net income per unit was $1.96, against $2.13. Source
  • Management credits growth project completions: The chairman, president and CEO said operational performance reflects progress on strategic initiatives as growth projects are completed and integrated across the gas and NGL value chains. Source

Crude oil and products logistics

  • Segment adjusted EBITDA rose $23 million: Segment adjusted EBITDA was $1,161 million, compared with $1,138 million. Management attributed the rise to higher rates across the business units and increased butane blending. Source
  • Pipeline throughput fell four percent: Total pipeline throughput was 5,876 mbpd, compared with 6,103 mbpd, down 4%. Crude oil pipelines fell 5% to 3,830 mbpd, and product pipelines fell 2% to 2,046 mbpd. Source
  • Product pipeline tariffs rose: The average pipeline tariff was $1.07 per barrel, compared with $1.06. Product pipeline tariffs rose 4% to $1.09 per barrel, while crude oil pipeline tariffs stayed at $1.06. Source
  • Terminal volumes and fleet rose: Terminal throughput rose 2% to 3,259 mbpd. Barges in operation rose to 331 from 320, and towboats in operation rose to 30 from 29. Source

“As additional projects enter service in the second half of the year, and utilizations increase, MPLX remains positioned to deliver mid-single digit adjusted EBITDA growth.”

Maryann Mannen, MPLX chairman, president and chief executive officer

Natural gas and NGL services

  • Segment adjusted EBITDA up $62 million: Segment adjusted EBITDA was $614 million, compared with $552 million, up 11%. Management cited higher volumes, including equity affiliate growth and acquisitions, partly offset by 2025 divestitures. Source
  • Operated gathering volumes rose 5%: Operated gathering throughput was 6,859 MMcf/d, up 5%; excluding divested assets it rose 15%. Marcellus rose 13%, Southwest rose 15%, and operated Utica rose 18%. Source
  • Gas processed fell two percent: Operated natural gas processed was 9,590 MMcf/d, down 2%. Excluding divested assets, processed volume rose 5% from 9,147 MMcf/d. Source
  • NGL fractionation volumes rose 7%: C2 plus NGLs fractionated on an operated basis was 680 mbpd, up 7%. Utica rose 20% to 72 mbpd, and Marcellus rose 7% to 584 mbpd. Source

Costs, interest and margins

  • Operating expenses rose to $1,012 million: Operating expenses including purchased product costs were $1,012 million, against $821 million. Operating expenses to related parties were $415 million, against $426 million. Source
  • Interest and depreciation were higher: Net interest and other financial costs were $289 million, against $234 million. Depreciation and amortization was $365 million, against $324 million. Source
  • Revenue and other income increased: Total revenues and other income were $3,312 million, against $3,003 million. Operating revenue from related parties was $1,629 million, against $1,450 million. Source
  • Operating income and equity income rose: Income from operations was $1,378 million, against $1,293 million. Income from equity method investments was $180 million, against $170 million. Source

Demand and utilization

  • Gulf Coast project tied to demand: Management linked the accelerated Gulf Coast fractionation project to global demand for U.S. energy. Source
  • Utilization expected to increase: Management said utilizations are expected to increase as additional projects enter service in the second half of the year. Source
  • Permian and Marcellus focus: Management said projects are concentrated in the Permian and Marcellus, which it described as two of the most prolific and competitive basins in North America. Source

Strategy and project timing

  • Gulf Coast LPG export terminal JV: The 400 mbpd LPG export terminal at the Port of Texas City is a 50% joint venture, with 2028 listed as the expected in-service year. Source
  • Eiger Express pipeline in mid-2028: The 3.7 Bcf/d Eiger Express pipeline, connecting Permian supply to Katy, Texas, is 22% owned and listed for mid-2028. Source
  • Secretariat II plant set for 2H28: Secretariat II, a 300 MMcf/d gas processing plant in the Delaware Basin, is wholly owned and listed for the second half of 2028. Source
  • Marcellus gathering expansion in 1H28: The Marcellus Gathering System Expansion supports producer activity near the Majorsville gas processing complex, is 100% owned, and is listed for 1H28. Source

Cash flow and capital spending

  • Operating cash flow slightly lower: Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,702 million, against $1,736 million. DCF was $1,450 million, against $1,420 million, and adjusted free cash flow was $668 million, against $1,130 million. Source
  • Adjusted FCF after distributions negative: Adjusted free cash flow after distributions was negative $424 million, against $154 million a year earlier. The six-month figure was negative $968 million. Source
  • Working capital draws reduced operating cash: Operating cash flow in the quarter included working capital draws of $261 million, against $313 million a year earlier. Source
  • Growth and maintenance spending higher: Growth and maintenance capital expenditures were $941 million, against $450 million. Growth capital expenditures alone were $874 million, against $406 million. Source

Leverage, liquidity and distributions

  • Distribution coverage fell to 1.3x: The distribution per common unit was $1.0765, with coverage of 1.3x, against 1.5x a year earlier. Total LP distributions declared were $1,092 million, against $975 million. Source
  • Leverage ratio rose to 3.7x: The leverage ratio was 3.7x at quarter-end, against 3.1x a year earlier. It was also 3.7x at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Cash and undrawn credit available: Cash was $1,031 million at June 30, 2026, with $2.5 billion available on the revolving credit facility and $1.5 billion available on the MPC intercompany loan. Source
  • Unit repurchases reduced: Public common units repurchased in the quarter totalled $50 million, against $100 million a year earlier. About $1.0 billion remained under repurchase authorizations. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 August 2026

  • Harmon Creek III starts in August: The Harmon Creek III processing plant, 300 MMcf/d with a 40 mbpd de-ethanizer, is expected to begin operations in August 2026. Source
  • Bay Runner pipeline due third quarter: Bay Runner, with up to 5.3 Bcf/d of transport capacity at 30% ownership, is listed for 3Q26; Bay Runner Twin is listed for 2029. Source
  • Titan and BANGL expansions due fourth quarter: The Titan sour gas treating expansion and the BANGL NGL pipeline expansion are both listed for 4Q26. Source
  • Distribution increases planned: Management expects distribution increases of 12.5% in 2026 and 2027. Source
  • Gulf Coast fractionators in 2028 and 2029: Two 150 mbpd fractionation facilities near MPC’s Galveston Bay refinery are listed, with Frac I for 2028 and Frac II for 2029. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Pipeline throughput (mbpd) Source5,876 in Q2 2026 vs 6,103 in Q2 2025 (-4%)
Average pipeline tariff rate ($ per barrel) Source$1.07 vs $1.06 (+1%)
Terminal throughput (mbpd) Source3,259 vs 3,183 (+2%)
Barges in operation Source331 vs 320
Towboats in operation Source30 vs 29
Gathering throughput (MMcf/d) Source6,859 vs 6,562 (+5%) operated

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release said Harmon Creek III would come into service in the third quarter; this release gives August 2026 for beginning operations.
  • Not stated: The prior release said the Titan expansion would reach over 400 MMcf/d by year end; this release describes the expansion as progressing and lists 4Q26.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected 12.5% annual distribution growth for two more years; this release expects 12.5% increases in 2026 and 2027.
  • Not stated: This release lists Blackcomb for 4Q26 in-service and states that commissioning began in July 2026. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.