Oaktree Invests $100 Million, Pledges Additional $600 Million to BKV

AnnouncementsDecember 16, 2020

DENVER, CO – December 16, 2020 – BKV Corporation (“BKV”) announced today that funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P. (“Oaktree”) has invested $100 million in preferred equity in BKV towards BKV’s notable deal with Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN) (“Devon”) acquiring Devon’s assets in the Barnett Shale. Through this strategic partnership, Oaktree has committed to invest an additional $600 million in future mutually agreed upon opportunities in natural gas.

BKV’s technology-driven approach to the natural gas market and strong leadership has enabled it to become one of the top 20 natural gas companies in the U.S. since its inception five years ago, while furthering Banpu Public Company Limited’s (“Banpu”) commitment to expand to natural gas holdings in the U.S. Banpu and BKV are committed to continue acquiring proved developed producing (“PDP”) weighted unconventional gas assets.

“BKV’s strong management team, data-driven approach, technological capabilities and demonstrated strategy to consolidate U.S. natural gas assets is attractive to Oaktree,” stated Brook Hinchman, Managing Director at Oaktree. “As ESG has become increasingly important to the energy sector and U.S. natural gas has become an increasingly important fuel source for global power production, we are excited to support BKV’s expansion in the U.S. and Banpu’s advancement of a sustainable energy future.”

“BKV’s disciplined approach to all activities, from operations to underwriting acquisitions, made the company an ideal partner,” added Robert LaRoche, Vice President at Oaktree. “The acquisition of Devon’s assets is especially attractive to Oaktree, given their proximity to key, in-demand markets, and the opportunity to optimize the cash flow of Devon through consolidation. We view this collectively as a recipe for success.”

Mr. LaRoche will join BKV’s Board of Directors.

“Our partnership with Oaktree brings additional strategic alignment and support towards realizing BKV’s aspiration of becoming a technology-driven natural gas E&P champion,” said Christopher Kalnin, CEO of BKV Corporation. “We look forward to the potential opportunities this partnership will make possible.”