James Benson

Energy Spectrum Capital (ESC) manages private equity funds that make direct equity investments in companies that own and operate energy assets. Founded in 1996, ESC has raised over $2.3 billion of equity capital from the corporate and public sectors. ESC closed its sixth midstream private equity fund in 2011, adding $1.0 billion to equity under management since inception. ESC seeks investments that have clear growth strategies, opportunities to realize operational and financial leverage, and potential to realize higher valuations through the expansion of exit multiples. ESC seeks transactions in which it can invest $25-$100 million of equity and that present opportunities to invest additional equity as the company executes its growth plan. ESC has sponsored or invested in over 35 portfolio companies to date. The firms' upstream affiliate, Energy Trust Partners, targets equity investments of $40-$100 million in oil and gas exploration and development opportunities by investing in operating companies, specific asset purchases and drilling projects.