We hold several oil and gas master limited partnerships (MLPs) in the Dividend Genius portfolio and all of them have been stout performers since our initial recommendations.

As we always say, part of the reason to invest in MLPs is their strong dividends and impressive yields.

To be sure, MLPs, the good ones at least, don't stand pat when it comes to their distributions, and 2010 has seen a steady flow of distribution increases from MLPs.

Two of the MLPs that we hold in the Dividend Genius portfolio have already boosted their payouts this year and it appears that trend is working its way through the sector.

Last week, we noticed two more MLPs boosting their payouts. Oklahoma-based Oneok Partners L.P. (NYSE: OKS) raised its quarterly distribution by a penny to $1.10 a share.

The new distribution is payable on February 12 to unitholders of record on January 29. Oneok Inc. (NYSE: OKE), the parent company of the MLP, also boosted its quarterly divedend by 4.8% to 44 cents from 42 cents.

El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P. (NYSE: EPB) joined the fray as well, announcing a quarterly distribution increase of more than 12% to 36 cents per unit from 32 cents. The new distribution is payable on February 12 to unitholders of record on February 1.