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EQUITY INVESTMENTS
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
EQUITY INVESTMENTS  
EQUITY INVESTMENTS

9.           EQUITY INVESTMENTS

AllDale III

As discussed in Note 8 – Variable Interest Entities, we account for our ownership interest in the income or loss of AllDale III as an equity method investment.  We record equity income or loss based on AllDale III's distribution structure.  The changes in our equity method investment in AllDale III were as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

(in thousands)

Beginning balance

$

24,451

$

26,278

$

25,284

$

26,325

Equity method investment income

578

2,108

1,719

4,576

Distributions received

(904)

(2,448)

(2,878)

(4,963)

Ending balance

$

24,125

$

25,938

$

24,125

$

25,938

Francis

As discussed in Note 8 – Variable Interest Entities, we account for our ownership interest in the income or loss of Francis as an equity method investment. Prior to the conversion of our convertible note, we did not participate in Francis' earnings or losses; however, upon conversion on April 1, 2023 we began participating. As a development stage company, Francis depends primarily on capital contributions to meet its operating and debt obligations.  We currently believe that the carrying value of our investment is recoverable; however, if Francis is unable to raise sufficient funds to continue its operations and meet its debt obligations, it could have an adverse effect on our investment. The changes in our equity method investment in Francis were as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

(in thousands)

Beginning balance

$

17,380

$

20,000

$

20,000

$

Contributions

20,000

Equity method investment loss

(2,435)

(5,055)

Ending balance

$

14,945

$

20,000

$

14,945

$

20,000

NGP ET IV

As discussed in Note 8 – Variable Interest Entities, we account for our ownership interest in the income or loss of NGP ET IV as an equity method investment. The changes in our equity method investment in NGP ET IV were as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 

September 30, 

    

2023

    

2022

    

2023

    

2022

(in thousands)

Beginning balance

$

4,958

$

110

$

4,087

$

Contributions

923

110

2,257

220

Equity method investment income (loss)

15

(448)

Ending balance

$

5,896

$

220

$

5,896

$

220

Infinitum

During 2022, we purchased $42.0 million of Series D Preferred Stock ("Series D Preferred Stock") in Infinitum Electric, Inc. ("Infinitum"), a Texas-based startup developer and manufacturer of electric motors featuring printed circuit board stators.  On September 8, 2023, we purchased $24.6 million of Series E Preferred Stock ("Series E Preferred Stock" and, together with the "Series D Preferred Stock," the "Infinitum Preferred Stock") in Infinitum.  The Infinitum Preferred Stock provides for non-cumulative dividends when and if declared by Infinitum's board of directors. Each share of Infinitum Preferred Stock is convertible, at any time, at our option, into shares of common stock of Infinitum. We account for our ownership interest in Infinitum as an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value.  Absent an observable price change, it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of our investment in Infinitum because of the lack of a quoted market price for our ownership interests.  Therefore, we use a measurement alternative other than fair value to account for our investment.

Ascend

On August 22, 2023, we purchased $25.0 million of Ascend Preferred Stock from Ascend, a U.S.-based manufacturer and recycler of sustainable, engineered battery materials for electric vehicles.  The Ascend Preferred Stock provides for non-cumulative dividends when and if declared by Ascend's board of directors.  Each share is convertible, at any time, at our option, into shares of common stock of Ascend.  We account for our ownership interest in Ascend as an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value.  Absent an observable price change, it is not practicable to estimate the fair value of our investment in Ascend because of the lack of a quoted market price for our ownership interests.  Therefore, we use a measurement alternative other than fair value to account for our investment.