The $500 billion midstream sector is bracing on Tuesday for a ruling from a U.S. bankruptcy judge that could determine if energy producers can use Chapter 11 to shed contracts with pipeline operators for transporting oil and natural gas. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Shelley Chapman in Manhattan will read her ruling at 2:30 pm ET on a request by Houston-based Sabine Oil & Gas Corp to reject a contract with an affiliate of Cheniere Energy Inc to gather and process natural gas in Texas.