Nov 5 (Reuters) - Targa Resources ( TRGP ) surpassed

Wall Street's estimates for third-quarter core profit on

Tuesday, benefiting from increased volumes of natural gas and

natural gas liquids transported through its pipelines.

U.S. pipeline operators are seeing

robust demand

for their infrastructure as oil and gas production

continues to climb in the Permian Basin, which accounts for half

of the country's crude oil output.

Targa's total quarterly natural gas sales volumes were up 3%

to 2.84 billion British thermal units per day (BBtu/d) from the

previous year, while total natural gas inlets for processing

rose 18% in the Permian Basin.

Natural gas liquid (NGL) pipeline transportation volumes

were up about 26% to 829,200 barrels per day in the quarter

ended Sept. 30. NGLs are hydrocarbon liquids such as ethane,

propane and butane, which are used as fuels for heating,

refrigeration and gasoline blending, among others.

The company expects full-year adjusted core profit above the

higher end of its previously forecast range of $3.95 billion to

$4.05 billion.

Houston, Texas-based Targa also said it would build two

natural gas processing plants in the Permian Basin, which

straddles New Mexico and Texas, in response to the increase in

production.

On an adjusted basis, its core profit was $1.07 billion in

the reported quarter, compared to analysts' estimate of $1.01

billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The company's quarterly net income attributable to common

shareholders rose 76% to $387.4 million, compared to last year.