(PR Newswire) Mexico’s Avant Energy announced that Riverstone Holdings, an energy and power-focused private investment firm, has agreed to invest US$150m in the company, which could reach up to US$300m once this initial capital has been invested.

Avant Energy S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Avant Energy” or “the Company”) a newly-established Mexican energy company, today announced that Riverstone Holdings, an energy and power-focused private investment firm, has agreed to an initial line-of-equity investment of US$150m in the Company, which can be increased to US$300m once this initial capital has been invested. Avant Energy executives have also made additional capital commitments for undisclosed amounts.

With offices in Mexico City, Monterrey and Houston, Avant Energy will focus on the development, construction and operation of infrastructure for Mexico’s oil, natural gas, refined products and electricity sectors, as well as participate in the recently liberalized markets for these products and services.

The company will be led by Jaime de la Rosa, Luis Farias, Jaime Williams, and Antonio Noyola, senior executives with extensive track records at companies including Cemex, Gas Natural Fenosa, Mitsui Power Americas and Gas Industrial de Monterrey. They will be joined by Lenny Lee, Roy Piskadlo, and Richard Jefferis; a group of experienced international executives who have held numerous leadership positions at firms including Entergy-Koch, Merrill Lynch Commodities, and AES.

Mr. De la Rosa stated: “We are very pleased to announce the launch of Avant Energy and our partnership with Riverstone, one of the world’s most experienced energy investors.” Mr. Williams noted: “We look forward to making meaningful contributions to the growth, reliability and efficiency of Mexico’s energy sector over the coming years.”

Mr. Alfredo Marti, Managing Director at Riverstone, added: “We are very excited to partner with some of the most recognized energy executives in Mexico and the US to launch what we hope will become one of Mexico’s leading independent midstream and power infrastructure platforms. We are particularly pleased that our investment represents capital from Mexican pension funds through our CKD fund, as well as from international investors who are enthusiastic about the country’s potential.”