Companies operating in the midstream and infrastructure category perform some of the vital functions in the global energy industry.While the infrastructure firms provide the required infrastructure facilities for the industry the midstream companies process, store, market and transport commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, etc. Hence investors looking to add some exposure to the energy sector can consider investing in the midstream & infrastructure firms.

This year the energy consultancy PFC Energy included a separate  ranking for this category in its annual ranking of top energy firms. This list offers an excellent starting point for further research into this industry.

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Source: PFC Energy 50

The Top 15 Midstream/Infrastructure companies are listed below with their tickers and current dividend yields:

1.Company: Enterprise (EPD)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.16%
Country: US

2.Company: TransCanada (TRP)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.97%
Country: Canada

3.Company: Enbridge (ENB)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.04%
Country: Canada

4.Company: Kinder Morgan (KMP)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.43%
Country: US

5.Company: El Paso (EP)
Current Dividend Yield: 0.15%
Country: US

6.Company: Williams Companies (WMB)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.63%
Country: US

7.Company: Snam (SNMRY)
Current Dividend Yield: 7.52%
Country: Italy

8.Company: Oneok Partners (OKS)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.34%
Country: US

9.Company: Plains All American Pipeline (PAA)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.35%
Country: US

10.Company: Energy Transfer Partners (ETP)
Current Dividend Yield: 7.27%
Country: US

11.Company: Megellan Midstream Partners (MMP)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.87%
Country: US

12.Company: OGE Energy Corp (OGE)
Current Dividend Yield: 2.92%
Country: US

13.Company: Buckeye Partners  (BPL)
Current Dividend Yield: 6.55%
Country: US

14.Company: Boardwalk Pipeline Partners (BWP)
Current Dividend Yield: 7.66%
Country: US

15.Company: MarkWest Energy Partners (MWE)
Current Dividend Yield: 5.30%
Country: US

Note: Dividend yields noted are as of Jan 30, 2012

Disclosure: No Positions