Risk management has always been at the core of what we do. EnCap controls the boards of virtually all of our portfolio companies. When we evaluate a management team, we look for professionals who have proven track records, extensive operational backgrounds and deep expertise in incorporating environmental, regulatory and health and safety concerns into their business decisions. While we are in frequent dialogue with our portfolio companies, we require them to report and discuss ESG matters at each of our quarterly board meetings.
EnCap and our employees have a long philanthropic history. We consider this an important part of our ESG efforts and are committed to making a meaningful impact in our communities.
As we look ahead, we are excited about the opportunity set for energy investments. Billions of people around the world do not have access to affordable energy. We expect the demand for energy to continue to grow and improve the quality of life for people around the globe. The challenge we face as an industry is to meet this demand while reducing overall emissions. EnCap is committed to being best in class in terms of returns for our investors and ESG performance.
EnCap's ESG Principles
Environmental
- Maximize value for investors while minimizing our environmental impact
- Believe that supplying low-cost energy and minimizing emissions are important responsibilities of energy operators
- Collecting standardized data is critical for improvement
Social
- Take pride in attracting talented employees and providing them an environment to grow and succeed
- Focused on an inclusive and respectful work environment
- In our operations, we strive for best industry practices regarding health and safety, which allow us to maximize value when we sell our companies
- Engaged in our local communities
Governance
- Our strategy starts with a strong foundation of governance and ethics
- Risk management is fundamental to our business — EnCap controls the board of virtually all of our companies
- ESG is discussed at quarterly board meetings
- Longstanding commitment to conducting our business with integrity
Citizenship is a core value at EnCap. We believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. We express this philosophy through our Charitable Contribution and Sponsorship program and volunteering with a range of nonprofit organizations through our EnCap Engage program. Formed in 2019, EnCap Engage is focused on organizing volunteer events that allow EnCap employees to have a hands-on impact in the local community. Previous events have included volunteering at the Houston Food Bank, Hope Farms and assembling COVID-19 school safety kits and school supply kits.
Ameredev II is making decisions that lead to outperformance on key environmental parameters such as emissions intensity and freshwater usage. With a Goal Zero approach, the company has established both a methane emissions intensity target and an absolute methane reduction target. The company has eliminated the use of flaring and has built and expanded water management infrastructure to repurpose water from frac operations.
Lotus Midstream has taken an innovative approach to carbon capture through its Green Initiative Program. Lotus partnered with Understanding Ag, a regenerative agriculture company, to implement regenerative agriculture practices on1,600 acres of their underutilized land. This allows carbon from the atmosphere to be captured and returned to the soil, improving the health of the soil and resulting in numerous benefits to the environment and the community. Lotus seeded the land and introduced cows to the property to graze and till the land, leading to an increase in organic matter and expanded carbon capture rates.
Catalyze established an ESG steering committee made up of senior management from each department. In late 2020, Catalyze drafted a comprehensive and forward-looking ESG policy. One of the first initiatives Catalyze completed and continues to work on is a comprehensive audit of all policies, procedures and practices. Additional initiatives are the implementation of a sustainable procurement policy and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion policy at every stage of the recruitment and hiring process.
XCL is building a million-barrel recycling pond and facility in the heart of the company’s acreage. Approved by the state, the facility is an opportunity for XCL to become an industry leader in the design, permitting and operational excellence of recycling ponds. The process allows XCL to form constructive relationships with regulatory agencies, earn the trust of the community and recycle water at a significant cost savings. XCL has plans to build two more recycling ponds to accommodate future growth, leading to a significant reduction in trucks on roadways and in clean water needs and operating costs.