Natural gas – and the rapidly-developing sector of shale gas – will likely play a larger role in the U.S.'s future energy needs, which is why I'm reiterating my buy rating for Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), first recommended on April 29, 2009 at a price of $24.24.

Enterprise Products Partners is an integrated provider of natural gas pipeline and processing services and natural gas liquids, fractionation, storage, transportation and terminal services. EPD also is a major developer of midstream infrastructure in the deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico.

The plunge in natural gas prices has hurt natural gas and related energy support plays, but just look on that as a buy opportunity, given natural gas's likely large role in the U.S.'s energy future.

Hence, I'm Reiterating my Buy rating for Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), first recommended on April 29, 2009 at a price of $24.24.

Dan Duncan, who is a billionaire, understands the importance of patience (especially in creating lots of wealth). An example of this is his latest deal; that is, his company, Enterprise Products Partners LP (NYSE: EPD), has been pursuing Teppco Partners LP (NYSE: TPP) since March. At that time, Duncan offered about $2.8 billion for the company. And yes, according to the senior management at Teppco, it was too low.

Well, after some wrangling, there is now a deal. Of course, the price tag is higher -- at $3.3 billion (it's a stock-for-stock swap).

It's an energy-intensive world, and even though the U.S. and global recessions have led to real declines in aggregate energy usage, don't look for that trend to continue. The energy infrastructure in the U.S. was barely adequate for the last economic expansion. The next one will require a substantially expanded and improved network, which is why it makes sense for moderate-risk investors to consider Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD).

Enterprise Products Partners is a provider of natural gas pipeline and processing services and natural gas liquids fractionation, storage, transportation and terminal services. EPD also is a major developer of midstream infrastructure in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico region.

Readers of this space know that the preferred sectors include natural gas / oil services and infrastructure stocks, and when one can combine the two, well, it's like a double header at Yankee Stadium (or two chamber concerts at Lincoln Center). Enterprise Products Partners fits the aforementioned bill.

Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), a publicly traded limited partnership, is an integrated provider of natural gas pipeline and processing services and natural gas liquids fractionation, storage, transportation and terminalling services.

Analysts expect record pipeline volumes to generate earnings growth for the next few years. Cash flow should be strong as well. Further, EPD has a stable of projects featuring likely high returns with low risk. In addition, Enterprise will continue to benefit from its fee-based assets, including its offshore pipeline infrastructure, such as its Gulf of Mexico assets.

Further, with size, economies of scale, and ample cash, EPD is better-positioned than many peers in that it can expand without acquisitions. The Reuters F2008/F2009 EPS consensus estimates for EPD are $1.43/$1.62.

The risks? A sustained U.S. economic slowdown would hurt EPD's results. Analysts are also keeping an eye on EPD's skilled labor costs.

The First Call mean rating for EPD is: Buy. [14 firms.] Mean 2008 target: $35. [high: $36, low: $35.]

Stock Analysis: Enterprise Products Partners is a moderate-risk stock not suitable for low-risk investors. Investors with an investment horizon longer than 2 years should be rewarded from EPD's shares. Sell / Stop Loss if you were to purchase shares in this company: $22.

Disclosure: Lazzaro has no positions in stocks. In addition to private real estate holdings, he owns corporate and municipal bonds, and cash certificates of deposit.

Each year, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Stocks Report.

Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD), a master limited partnership (MLP), is the top conservative pick for 2007 from energy expert Elliott Gue, editor of The Energy Strategist.

"MLPs trade on the major exchanges just like any stock. But there are some big tax benefits to owning MLPs, offering a combination of high current income and the potential for that income to grow rapidly over time.

"Enterprise Products is the largest MLP in the U.S. Unlike most other big MLPs, Enterprise hasn't slowed its distribution growth substantially in recent years. In fact, the MLP has maintained an impressive 9%+ annualized growth rate in distributions during the past five years. .