By Mrinalika Roy

May 6 (Reuters) - U.S. midstream company MPLX ( MPLX ) on Tuesday reported a rise in

quarterly earnings helped by higher volumes and transportation rates and said it expects minimal

impact from tariffs on its operations.

"At this juncture for what we know about tariffs...it really has very minimal impact on

MPLX ( MPLX )," CEO Maryann Mannen said during a post-earnings call.

The U.S. energy sector is bracing for the potential fallout of President Donald Trump's

sweeping tariffs and an intense trade war with China, which could affect oil and natural gas

demand and output.

However, the Findlay, Ohio-headquartered company said it continues to see production across

its operating basins.

"Based on feedback from our producer customers, we continue to expect year-over-year volume

growth in the Marcellus and Utica basins," Mannen said.

MPLX ( MPLX ) is acquiring an additional 5% interest in the joint venture that owns the Matterhorn

Express Pipeline for $151 million, aiming to add scale and access the lucrative oil and

gas-producing regions and export facilities.

The company, which has announced over $1 billion of strategic acquisitions since the start

of 2025, said it has "ample capacity to undertake additional strategic acquisitions".

MPLX ( MPLX ) plans to spend $1.7 billion on growth projects in 2025, with 85% focused on

natural gas and NGL infrastructure.

"Notwithstanding current market volatility, the outlook for hydrocarbons remains robust.

Grid electrification, onshoring, nearshoring, and data centre development are driving natural

gas demand growth forecast through the end of the decade. As demand increases for natgas-powered

electricity, we are well positioned," Mannen said.

Total liquids pipeline throughput stood at 5.9 million barrels per day (bpd) in the quarter,

a 12% jump, while terminal throughput rose 6% to 3.1 million bpd.

Gathered volumes on its natural gas lines averaged 6.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d), a

5% increase from the prior year.

The company reported net income of $1.13 billion for the quarter, up from $1.00 billion a

year earlier.