Energy Ventures announced today the addition of Jim Sledzik, Anoop Poddar and Espen Strøm to the management team. These key additions were planned in conjunction with the closing of Energy Ventures Fund III that will invest $243 million in new oil & gas technologies. Jim, 43, and Anoop, 34, will join the team as Investment Managers and focus on identifying, negotiating and executing investment opportunities, and managing their progression until exit. Espen, 27, will join the team as Analyst.

"Jim Sledzik, Anoop Poddar and Espen Strøm deliver a wide range of skills to the Energy Ventures team," said Ole Melberg, Managing Partner. "Jim brings a geosciences perspective and many years of global experience in investing, developing and marketing new technologies. Anoop has a strong background in drilling and completions segment as well as corporate finance transactions. Espen has his background as financial analyst and auditor with focus on the oil and gas industry."

Jim joins Energy Ventures with more than 18 years of worldwide experience in the oilfield services industry. Most recent assignments included the roles of Global Marketing Director (London) and Vice President of Multiclient Services (Houston) for WesternGeco, and Global Account Director (Houston) for Schlumberger. Jim earned a bachelor's degree in geosciences from Penn State University and an MBA degree in international business from the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.

Anoop joins Energy Ventures with a wealth of experience both in the oilfield operations (at Schlumberger and Essar Oil) and corporate finance transactions (at Simmons and Company). Prior to joining Energy Ventures, Anoop was a Vice President in the corporate finance division of Simmons and Company in Aberdeen where he managed various sale-side, buy-side and finance raising transactions. Anoop earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, MSc in Offshore Engineering from the Robert Gordon University and bachelorâ??s in Petroleum Engineering from the Indian School of Mines.

Espen joins Energy Ventures with experience from ExxonMobil as financial analyst and as auditor from Ernst&Young. He holds an MSc in Finance from Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH).

"We are very pleased to be able to attract world class talent who fit well with Energy Ventures' strategies and future plans," says Ole Melberg, Managing Partner.