Riverstone Energy Regulatory News (RSE)

Riverstone Announces Commitment of US$225 million

to Sierra Oil & Gas

New York, NY and London, UK (September 18, 2014). Riverstone Holdings ("Riverstone") announced today that it has committed US$225 million to Sierra Oil & Gas S. de R.L. de C.V. ("Sierra"), Mexico's first independent exploration and production ("E&P") company. The investment comprises US$150 million from Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund V ("Fund V") and US$75 million from Riverstone Energy Limited ("REL").

Alongside Riverstone's investment, EnCap Investments ("EnCap") and Mexico's Infraestructura Institucional ("I2") have also committed US$225 million and US$75 million respectively, for a total equity contribution of US$525 million. All three investors retain the option to double their existing commitment once the initial equity has been fully invested.

Sierra, headquartered in Mexico City, is led by Ivan Sandrea, a highly experienced E&P executive with an extensive track record of leadership in energy organizations including Statoil, BP, OPEC and Energy Intelligence. Mr Sandrea has assembled a team of distinguished professionals from the Mexican and international oil & gas sector, representing over 350 years of experience with direct applicability to Mexico's opportunity set.

The company plans to participate in exploration, development and production optimization opportunities made possible by Mexico's recent energy reform. Additionally Sierra may consider opportunities in hydrocarbon transportation, storage and processing.

Jim Hackett, partner at Riverstone, commented: "We are delighted to partner with Sierra's outstanding management team for what is our first investment in Mexico. We have been very impressed with the progress of the energy reform and look forward to contributing to the growth of a vibrant private energy sector in the country, as we have done in the US, Canada and elsewhere." 

Sierra's CEO, Ivan Sandrea said: "The opening of Mexico's energy sector represents a transformational opportunity for the country. Mexico has a world class petroleum system, a significant oil and gas industrial base, a new and modern oil and gas framework, professional institutions, and is one of the most progressive economies in the world. At Sierra we have been preparing for this opportunity for several years, having assembled a unique team with outstanding commercial, technical and operational experience as well as the financial backing and expertise of some of the world's top energy investors and of Mexico's leading infrastructure fund".

- END -

Media Contacts

For Riverstone:

Alfredo Marti

+44-20-3206-6300

John Cosgrove

+1-212-993-0076

Brunswick:

Andrew Mitchell

Robin Wrench

+44-207-404-5959

About Riverstone

Riverstone is an energy and power-focused private investment firm founded in 2000 by David M. Leuschen and Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr. with approximately $27 billion of equity capital raised. Riverstone conducts buyout and growth capital investments in the exploration & production, midstream, oilfield services, power and renewable sectors of the energy industry. With offices in New York, London, Houston and Mexico City, the firm has committed approximately $27 billion to 112 investments in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

About EnCap

Since 1988, EnCap Investments has been a leading provider of private equity to the independent sector of the U.S. oil & gas industry. The firm has raised 18 institutional oil and gas investment funds totalling approximately US$21 billion and currently manages capital on behalf of more than 250 U.S. and international investors. EnCap professionals represent more than 250 years of experience in the energy finance and investment business. EnCap has a proven track record, having successfully invested with approximately 200 upstream and midstream oil & gas companies. 

About Infraestructura Institucional

I2 (Infraestructura Institucional) is a Mexican private equity firm founded in 2010, focused on infrastructure projects. It has raised over US$1 billion of equity through two funds (CKDs listed in the Mexican Bolsa) with an investor base mainly composed of Mexican pension funds (Afores) and other institutional investors. I2 currently manages over US$ 1.7 billion in AUM in the energy, social infrastructure and transportation sectors.