Drillsearch Energy, an Australian Stock Exchange listed mid-tier oil and gas exploration and production company, has entered into a AUD15m equity line of credit agreement with YA Global Master SPV, a fund managed by Yorkville Advisors.  The transaction represents the third equity line of credit facility provided by YA Global

Dunedin, a UK mid-market buyout house, has expanded its London and Edinburgh offices.  Dunedin’s London office is moving to larger premises in St James’s and a number of staff promotions have been made.  Dunedin’s Edinburgh office is expanding with the recruitment of a new member to the investment team. Ross

Piper Jaffray will transition its private capital business to become an independent firm. The transition is expected to be effective on 1 December 2010. The fund of funds business will transition to the key principals of the private capital subsidiary, who will rename the independent company North Sky Capital. The

Redx Pharma, a UK based bioscience company, has been launched with a GBP1.9m investment package from the public and private sector.  Support has been provided by the NWDA’s Northwest Interim Venture Capital Fund, which is managed by YFM Private Equity, and includes backing from the European Regional Development Fund. A

Black Pearl Capital Partners has invested in Hantec Markets in an effort to help expand its presence in the European retail forex market. As a member of the Hantec Group, the UK-based Hantec Markets is part of an expansion from China to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and now to Europe.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has bought Chevron’s 23.44 per cent stake in the Colonial Pipeline. KKR acquired the minority stake in partnership with the National Pension Service of Korea, the fourth largest public pension fund in the world. The Colonial pipeline system is the largest refined products pipeline in North America,

TLG Capital has furthered its Ugandan portfolio by signing an agreement to acquire a 20 per cent stake in Vero Food Industries, whose primary focus is the production of mineral water and rice. Due to start operations in the next couple of months, Vero Food Industries is set to be

Brunswick Group maintained its lead at the top of the global mergers and acquisitions league tables by value, with a USD82bn lead over second placed Joele Frank Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher, according to a report by mergermarket. Brunswick advised on 131 deals worth a total of USD224bn. FD advised on 25

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System is severing its ties with Pacific Corporate Group as part of the pension fund’s ongoing strategic review of its private equity programme and investment partners. Aviva Capital, a former joint venture partner with PCG, will continue to manage over USD1bn of invested and committed