Mitchell Solich

Mitchell L. Solich is a Denver-based energy executive and investor best documented through his work in upstream oil and gas. In 2001, he was identified as the former CEO of Denver-based Shenandoah Energy, which was sold to Questar Corp. in August 2001. A Questar purchase agreement from July 2001 also lists Mitchell L. Solich as an option holder and co-trustee of The Solich Trust in connection with the Shenandoah Energy transaction.

In February 2002, Solich became chairman, president, and CEO of Ox Bow Energy Corp., a Denver company formed by former executives of Shenandoah Energy and Cody Energy. Oil & Gas Journal reported that Ox Bow planned to focus on acquisition and exploration of oil and gas producing properties in onshore basins including the Rocky Mountains, Midcontinent, and Permian basins. Solich described the strategy as to “acquire and further exploit underdeveloped oil and gas fields to generate growth and shareholder value.”

Solich later led Medicine Bow Energy Corporation as president and CEO. In June 2003, Medicine Bow acquired Ensign Oil & Gas, adding interests in more than 600 producing wells and bringing Medicine Bow’s net production to 32 MMcfed. In July 2005, El Paso Corporation announced it would acquire Medicine Bow for $814 million in cash; the transaction involved Denver-based Medicine Bow assets with 356 Bcfe of proved reserves across the Rockies, East Texas, Mid-Continent, San Juan Basin, Permian Basin, and Gulf Coast.

By 2007, Solich was at SFC Energy Partners. Private Fund Data lists him as Senior Managing Director of SFC Energy Partners since March 1, 2007, and an SEC Form D for SFC Energy Partners II, L.P. identifies him as an executive officer and Senior Managing Director signing the filing on April 13, 2011. Private Equity International describes SFC Energy Partners as a Colorado-based private equity firm founded in 2007 that focused on energy and oil and gas investments across the United States.

• SFC Energy Partners’ stated focus, according to Oil & Gas Journal, was the onshore upstream energy sector in North America.
• Solich’s earlier operating thesis at Ox Bow Energy was acquisition-led development: to “acquire and further exploit underdeveloped oil and gas fields to generate growth and shareholder value.”
• The firm appears to back experienced operating teams in oil and gas exploration and production rather than seed-stage technology startups; Armor Energy says SFC was created by veterans of the upstream energy industry and brings investment and operating experience.
• SFC’s historical portfolio points to growth capital, private equity, and co-investment structures around exploration, production, development, and mature-basin opportunities.
• Public sources did not verify an individual check size for Solich or SFC. Oil & Gas Journal listed SFC’s individual investment range as not available and said SFC Energy Partners Fund I and Fund II had more than $1 billion of capital under management at the time of its profile.