MARKWEST ENERGY RIDES OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE TO FIRST-PLACE RANKING IN ENERGYPOINT RESEARCH’S 2015 OIL & GAS MIDSTREAM SERVICES CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

After years of growth fueled by shale development and high commodity prices, midstream companies are now looking to distinguish themselves in the market place through higher levels of performance and renewed attention to customer needs.

HOUSTON (Sept 21, 2015) – EnergyPoint Research, the leading provider of customer satisfaction ratings for the oil and gas industry, announces results from its 2015 Oil & Gas Midstream Services Customer Satisfaction Survey. The independent survey, which has been conducted six times since 2003, is part of EnergyPoint’s series of studies focused on the industry’s satisfaction with the products and services it utilizes. A total of 17 companies received the minimum number of evaluations needed to be included in the rankings.

Denver-based MarkWest Energy received the top rating for the fourth consecutive survey. Plains All American, which captured its highest ranking ever, placed second overall. Sunoco Logistics, Enable Midstream and BoardwalkPipeline comprised the remaining companies rated in the top five for overall satisfaction.

“Prior to the decline in oil prices in 2014, midstream service companies were focused heavily on building out the considerable infrastructure needed to service the burgeoning needs of producers,” noted Doug Sheridan, managing director of EnergyPoint Research. “As the segment transitions to a period marked by greater market equilibrium and increased competition, it will be those suppliers whose organizational mindsets are geared toward helping customers succeed – at both ends of the pipe – that retain and attract market share.”

In addition to garnering the top overall rating, MarkWest also rated first in five other segments, including Appalachian Basin – Marcellus, Operations, Onshore Gas Gathering, Project Development and NGL Fractionation. Runner up Plains All American placed first in Crude Transportation and Crude Storage & Terminaling, while Sunoco Logistics took top honors in Onshore Crude Gathering, Texas Intrastate, Onshore Gulf Coast and the Mid‑continent region. Enable Midstream rated first in Gas Processing & Treating and in the Ark‑La‑Tex region. Boardwalk, ranked fifth overall, rated first in Gas Transportation and Systems & Administration.

Other companies rating first in at least one category include:

Survey results were based on more than 2,000 in‑depth company evaluations by 300+ qualified professionals at production, marketing and industrial customers of domestic midstream service providers. Companies were rated primarily on their performance over the 24‑month period ending August 31, 2015. For those categories and suppliers for which ratings existed, 2012‑2013 scores were included in the final category-winner calculations at lesser weightings. In no case were the 2012‑013 ratings assigned a weighting of more than 20 percent for purposes of calculating final 2015 category winners.

Companies were evaluated across various attributes such as total satisfaction, pricing and contract terms, operations, project development, personnel, systems and administration, and corporate capabilities. Respondents also rated suppliers across multiple midstream service segments and domestic producing regions. Other companies ranked in the survey include:

“Given that demand for midstream services is traditionally more price-sensitive than most other segments in the industry, the challenge for suppliers in today’s environment is to focus on the efficiency of their operations while simultaneously boosting their responsiveness to customers’ needs”, said Sheridan. “The good news is these twin objectives are effectively measured in the time-tested metric of customer satisfaction.”

For more information concerning EnergyPoint Research, its independent oilfield supplier surveys, or suite of research products and services, please visit the company’s web site at www.energypointresearch.com or contact the firm at info@energypointresearch.com or +1‑713‑529‑9450.

About EnergyPoint Research, Inc.

EnergyPoint Research provides independent research regarding the oil and gas industry’s satisfaction with the products and services it purchases and utilizes. Founded in 2003, the firm publishes its closely watched annual customer satisfaction ratings and rankings in five industry segments: onshore drilling, offshore drilling, oilfield services, oilfield products and midstream services.