U.S. Pipeline Executives Targeting AI Data Center Benefits Secure Additional Stakes Worth Billions

Kelcy L. Warren, an executive of U.S. energy infrastructure company Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET), recently acquired approximately 1.1 million newly issued common units of the company as consideration for selling his privately held business to an Energy Transfer subsidiary. The transaction, disclosed to regulators, was valued at about $22 million (roughly KRW 300 billion). As a result, Warren’s direct holdings rose to around 15 million units, and he also reported significant indirect interests held through a separate investment vehicle. Meanwhile, Energy Transfer reported partner net income of $1.25 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $4.94 billion for the first quarter of 2026, and raised its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to $18.2–18.6 billion (approximately KRW 24 trillion).

On May 5, Energy Transfer’s Q1 results drew particular attention in U.S. equity markets for both the upward revision to its guidance—driven by growing demand from data centers and AI infrastructure—and for increasing its quarterly distribution to $0.3375 per unit (an annualized $1.35). In its earnings release, the company highlighted long-term pipeline projects—such as the expansion of its Florida gas transmission line and the Desert Southwest extension—alongside new gas transportation contracts targeting AI hyperscale campuses as key future growth drivers.

Energy Transfer is a leading U.S. midstream partnership that owns and operates natural gas, crude oil, and NGL pipelines, storage facilities, and export terminals nationwide, generating most of its revenue from fee-based, long-term contracts. Kelcy L. Warren, a co-founder and one of the largest unit holders, is known to have maintained significant influence over the company’s strategic decisions, even after past disputes and disclosure controversies related to the Mariner East 2 pipeline.