Esperanza Capital Partners on Aug. 26 announced the launch of its inaugural energy investment platform targeting the acquisition of assets located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

“We believe historical under-investment in the GoM provides a unique opportunity for ECP to safely transition assets from larger operators to a focused, seller-aligned investment platform with a clean structure and balance sheet capable of substantial scale,” commented Managing Partner William Goodwin in a release from the Houston-based private investment firm on Aug. 26.

Goodwin founded Esperanza Capital Partners in 2021 with David M. Dunwoody Jr. alongside an investment from Cockrell Interests.

“We look forward to combining the operations and investment management expertise of the ECP partnership to create a unique and sustainable investment model in our industry for decades to come,” added Dunwoody, who also serves as managing partner of the firm.

While serving in their prior leadership roles, Goodwin, previously managing partner at Millennial Energy Partners, and Dunwoody, co-founder and former president of EnVen Energy Corp., both closed multiple acquisitions of “material scale” with several oil and gas supermajors, the firm’s release said.

Further, Cockrell, a Houston-based, family-owned investment firm, has almost a century of experience in the oil and gas business including substantial exploration, development, operating, and investment experience offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Cockrell has deep roots in the investment community and our industry, and we couldn’t imagine a better partner for ECP,” continued Dunwoody.

According to the release, Esperanza Capital Partners will focus on assets which provide investors with current cash flow yield while providing creative solutions to current basin incumbents looking for a transition, a strategic or operating partner or a flexible capital provider. 

“Armed with long-duration capital partners, a unique investment structure and a track record of safely building and operating a portfolio of offshore assets, ECP is positioned to pursue the diverse set of opportunities that exist in the offshore energy sector,” the firm said.

Michael De Voe Piazza and Will Thanheiser from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provided legal counsel to Esperanza Capital Partners in connection with its formation. Creighton Smith and Bobbi Ingram of Vinson & Elkins LLP provided legal counsel to Cockrell in connection with its investment in the firm.

Offshore