Appalachian Midstream Partners Secures Equity Commitment of Up to $176 Million From Avista Capital Partners

NEW YORK, May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Appalachian Midstream Partners, LLC ("AMP" or the "Company"), a natural gas gathering and transportation services company operating in the Marcellus Shale, announced that it has entered into an agreement with Avista Capital Partners ("Avista"), a leading private equity firm, to provide for an equity commitment of up to $176 million.  

The Company will use this equity commitment to develop and expand AMP's initial system, Bear Print, which will serve gas production areas in north central Pennsylvania.  AMP's gathering system currently consists of approximately 56 miles of gathering pipeline spanning Clinton, Cameron and McKean Counties, provides access to the Tennessee Gas Pipeline in northern Pennsylvania and has the ability to provide future access to the pipelines of Columbia Gas, Dominion, National Fuel and Transco at the Leidy storage field.  AMP recently signed a gas gathering agreement with Pennsylvania General Energy Company, LLC ("PGE") as an anchor customer on its Bear Print system.  Pipeline construction was completed in April 2011 and AMP began providing gas transportation services for PGE in May.  

Michael Calderone, Chief Executive Officer of AMP, said, "We are excited about our partnership with Avista, which has a proven track record of sponsoring exploration and production and midstream development companies in unconventional resource plays.  This equity commitment from Avista allows AMP to support PGE's Marcellus Shale development program and positions the Company to provide gathering and transportation services to other producers in the region."

Steven Webster, Co-Managing Partner of Avista said, "We are excited to partner with such an experienced midstream management team in a region that continues to experience significant development activity as a result of its superior well economics and proximity to high-value end markets.  We believe the Marcellus Shale will continue to be an area of focus for exploration and production companies and this investment represents an attractive opportunity for us to meet the growing need for additional infrastructure in the region.  Further, AMP's existing system allows them to be a first-mover in the north central part of the state and the agreement with PGE fortifies the Company's relationship with a leading producer in the region."

About Appalachian Midstream Partners

Appalachian Midstream Partners, LLC was formed to provide natural gas gathering and transportation services to exploration and production companies in the Marcellus Shale basin.  AMP's primary asset is a 56 mile pipeline and right-of-way that provides access to the Leidy Storage field and multiple major interstate pipelines in north central Pennsylvania located in the Marcellus Shale fairway.

About Avista Capital Partners

Avista Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm managing approximately $4 billion of committed capital with offices in New York, Houston, and London.  Founded in 2005, Avista's strategy is to make controlling or influential minority investments in growth-oriented energy, healthcare, media, industrial and consumer businesses.  Through its team of seasoned investment professionals and industry experts, Avista seeks to partner with exceptional management teams to invest in and add value to well-positioned businesses.  For more information visit: www.avistacap.com.

Contacts for AMP:
Michael Calderone
Appalachian Midstream Partners
5000 Stonewood Drive, Suite 240
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: (724) 933-5280
[email protected]

Contacts for Avista:
Jeffrey Taufield or Melissa Sheer
Kekst and Company
212-521-4800

SOURCE Avista Capital Partners