2 High-Yield Energy Dividend Stocks to Buy in September With Dividends You Can Count On

Energy stocks have long been a favorite among dividend investors, with major companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil Holdings appearing on many lists of top dividend stocks. Going beyond the big names, several smaller energy stocks pay dividends you can count on, and Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) and Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) are worth a closer look.

Image source: Getty Images.

Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »

The energy sector can be volatile and susceptible to geopolitical tensions. However, this year, elevated oil prices have contributed to bumper earnings and boosted stock prices. Investors looking for a pick-and-shovel approach to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom have also turned to energy stocks, as natural gas has emerged as a key power source.

1. Energy Transfer

Energy Transfer is a diversified midstream energy company with an actively expanding network of over 140,000 miles of pipeline. It handles natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGL), crude oil, and refined products. Its 2026 Q2 revenue climbed 78% year over year to $34.3 billion, which was well above analyst estimates. It has increased its dividend yield -- currently at 6.32% -- every quarter since Q3 2020.

I'm a fan of Energy Transfer because it combines growth potential with high dividend payments, and its diversified income streams mean it is well-positioned to maintain those payouts. It recently increased its revenue guidance for this year, partly due to growth in NGL demand. Plus, it has firm contracts with data centers and power plants, including a deal with Oracle, which helps provide steady cash flow.

Be aware that Energy Transfer is a Master Limited Partnership (MLP), which works slightly differently from a normal stock, particularly when it comes to taxes. It's also one of the reasons it pays such a high yield: MLPs must pay out 90% of their income to shareholders.

2. Kinder Morgan

If you're not keen on adding an MLP to your portfolio but like the sound of energy infrastructure, check out Kinder Morgan.

This dividend-paying midstream energy company has 78,000 miles of pipeline, primarily for natural gas. Like other midstreams, it's less susceptible to fluctuations in commodity prices because much of its revenue comes from fees for using its infrastructure -- think of Kinder Morgan's network as an energy toll road. That makes its 3.77% dividend a pretty solid bet, especially as it has either held dividends steady or increased them every quarter since 2016.

Kinder Morgan stock surged at the beginning of this year, in part due to optimism about data center and LNG demand. The stock is still up 13.9% year to date, but it has lost momentum in recent months. Its Q2 earnings beat analyst estimates with revenue of $4.48 billion, up 10% year over year. Natural gas and pipeline business segments performed well, and it has a $10 billion backlog.

The risks for both Kinder Morgan and Energy Transfer are that energy demand won't grow as fast or significantly as predicted, leaving their expensive infrastructure underutilized. Government or regulatory shifts could also impact energy markets and development plans. However, both companies have long-term contracts in place, and neither relies on a single revenue stream. Growth may slow if the macro picture changes, but their dividend payments are likely to continue.

Emma Newbery has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron, Kinder Morgan, and Oracle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.