Aug 1 (Reuters) - Enbridge ( ENB ) beat

second-quarter profit estimates on Friday, boosted by

contributions from recently acquired U.S. gas utilities, higher

margins in Ontario distribution, and strong earnings from its

gas transmission business.

Pipeline operators such as Enbridge ( ENB ) are benefiting from an

increase in demand for natural gas, primarily driven by LNG

exports, as well as rising electricity demand.

Enbridge ( ENB ) reported an adjusted core profit of C$1.38 billion

($995.02 million) from its gas transmission unit, up from C$1.08

billion a year earlier.

The company reported an adjusted profit of 65 Canadian cents

per share for the quarter ended June 30, beating analysts'

average expectation of 57 Canadian cents, according to data

complied by LSEG.

($1 = 1.3869 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini

Ganguli)