The Carlyle Group announced Friday the closing of its first international energy fund, Carlyle International Energy Partners, at $2.5 billion, a news release said.
The fund seeks to invest in middle-market companies participating in the energy supply chain outside of North America.
The fund has already invested in the following portfolio companies: Varo Energy, a refining, storage and distribution business; Discover Exploration, an oil and gas exploration company; and HES International, a European liquids, dry-bulk storage and handling business, the news release said.
“This is one of the best energy investing environments I’ve seen in more than 30 years in the industry,” said Marcel van Poecke, managing director for Carlyle International Energy Partners and head of the Carlyle International Energy Partnership, in the release. “Carlyle’s broad energy platform, plus a significant amount of dry powder, enables us to leverage current opportunities and market volatility across the global energy markets.”
Investors in the fund include the $20 billion San Francisco City & County Employees’ Retirement System and $52.8 billion Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., Juneau.
Carlyle spokesmen could not immediately be reached for additional information.
