2 Energy Stocks to Consider Instead of Crude Oil

By Reuben Gregg Brewer – Mar 16, 2026 at 9:15PM ESTKey PointsEnterprise Products Partners and Enbridge are two of the largest midstream operators in North America.Both Enterprise and Enbridge have increased their dividends for decades.The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has oil prices back in the headlines. Energy markets are in a state of flux, commodity prices are on the rise, and you are likely already seeing the impact at the gas pump. Even after the conflict ends, it will take some time for oil markets to stabilize again.

Enterprise Products Partners (EPD +0.89%) and Enbridge (ENB +0.85%) are a way to sidestep oil prices while still investing in the energy sector. Here's what you need to know. Enterprise and Enbridge instead of crude oil Enterprise and Enbridge operate in the midstream segment of the energy sector. They own the energy infrastructure, such as pipelines, that helps to move oil and natural gas around the world. This is a toll-taker business, with the companies charging fees for the use of their assets. The volume of energy flowing through their systems is more important than the price of the commodities they are moving. Image source: Getty Images. This changes the equation for investors in a big way, with both Enterprise and Enbridge being reliable cash flow generators even when oil prices are weak. The best examples of the business model's reliability are Enterprise's 27 consecutive distribution increases and Enbridge's 31 annual dividend hikes (in Canadian dollars). Enterprise and Enbridge are fairly boring businesses, but they are highly reliable. Dividend investors interested in energy stocks will particularly appreciate them, given Enterprise's 5.8% distribution yield and Enbridge's dividend 5.2% yield. ExpandNYSE: EPDEnterprise Products PartnersToday's Change(0.89%) $0.33Current Price$37.32Key Data PointsMarket Cap$81BDay's Range$36.79 - $37.4152wk Range$27.77 - $38.22Volume3.4MAvg Vol4.4MGross Margin12.86%Dividend Yield5.83% Which one should you buy? That said, they aren't interchangeable. Enterprise is a master limited partnership (MLP), which means it comes with material tax complications. Enbridge, meanwhile, isn't a pure play midstream business. It also owns regulated natural gas utilities and has a small clean energy business. That diversification may be attractive to some investors, while turning others off. ExpandNYSE: ENBEnbridgeToday's Change(0.85%) $0.46Current Price$54.54Key Data PointsMarket Cap$119BDay's Range$53.81 - $54.5952wk Range$39.73 - $54.59Volume3.9MAvg Vol5MGross Margin32.74%Dividend Yield5.02% Still, the bigger takeaway is that you can invest in the energy sector without taking on the excessive commodity exposure you would if you bought an oil driller. Reliable income stocks like Enterprise and Enbridge may look boring right now, when oil prices are flying high, but history shows that oil prices will eventually fall. When that happens, Enterprise and Enbridge will likely look very attractive again. Buy Enterprise and/or Enbridge now, and you can collect an attractive income stream from the energy sector while you wait for Wall Street to be reminded (yet again) that what goes up also comes back down.Read NextMar 16, 2026 •By Keith Speights3 Monster Dividend Stocks to Hold for the Next 10 YearsMar 13, 2026 •By Reuben Gregg Brewer2 Monster Stocks to Hold for the Next 10 YearsMar 12, 2026 •By Beth McKennaCrude Oil Prices Are Still High.

Should You Buy Oil Stocks Now?Mar 10, 2026 •By Keith SpeightsThe Best Energy Stock to Invest $1,000 in Right NowMar 9, 2026 •By Reuben Gregg BrewerThe Smartest Energy Stocks to Buy With $100 Right NowMar 1, 2026 •By Matt DiLallo3 High-Yielding Dividend Stocks I Can't Wait to Buy for Passive Income in MarchAbout the AuthorReuben Gregg Brewer is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering energy, utilities, REITs, and consumer staples. He is the former director of research at Value Line Publishing, where he rose from mutual fund analyst to equity analyst before leading all research operations. Reuben holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Purchase, a master’s in social work from Columbia University, and an MBA from Regis University. He has been featured as a financial expert on CNBC and in the Financial Times, Barron’s, and InvestmentNews.TMFReubenGBrewerStocks MentionedEnterprise Products PartnersNYSE: EPD$37.32(+0.89%)+$0.33EnbridgeNYSE: ENB$54.54(+0.85%)+$0.46*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.