Morgan Stanley Buys Australian Pipeline Operator Amid Renewable Push

Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners is expanding its investment in Australia's natural gas infrastructure by acquiring Epic Energy, owner of the Moomba to Adelaide Pipeline System (MAPS). The acquisition will strengthen Morgan Stanley's presence in the region and provide a strategically important pipeline asset that plays a key role in maintaining gas supply reliability as South Australia continues to expand renewable energy generation.

The MAPS system is a long-haul natural gas pipeline connecting production in northern Australia to Adelaide and surrounding markets in South Australia. It has been in service for more than 50 years and is one of only two transmission systems supplying the Adelaide region, serving power generators, industrial customers, and utilities.

Morgan Stanley said the acquisition adds a critical piece of energy infrastructure with high barriers to entry and long-term strategic relevance. 'MAPS is a critical piece of energy infrastructure with a more than 50-year operating history, high barriers to entry and long-term strategic relevance,' said Tim Cooper, co-head of Asia-Pacific for Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners.

The acquisition marks the latest infrastructure investment by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, which focuses on long-term ownership of essential transportation, energy, and utility assets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.