EQUITY INVESTMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

11.           EQUITY INVESTMENTS

AllDale III

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
	March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	23,933	$	25,284
Equity method investment income		507		425
Distributions received		(882)		(1,014)
Ending balance	$	23,558	$	24,695

Francis

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
	March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	16,487	$	20,000
Equity method investment loss		(1,097)		—
Ending balance	$	15,390	$	20,000

NGP ET IV

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
	March 31,
	2024		2023
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	6,083	$	4,087
Contributions		625		540
Equity method investment income (loss)		37		(373)
Ending balance	$	6,745	$	4,254

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 Series D Preferred Stock (the "Ascend Preferred Stock") in Ascend Elements, Inc. ("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.