Aug 6 (Reuters) - Blackstone, the world's largest

alternative asset manager, has agreed to buy energy data and

analytics provider Enverus, it said in a statement on Wednesday,

as dealmaking in the private equity sector shows signs of

recovery after a slowdown.

Reuters had exclusively reported last week that Blackstone

had emerged as the frontrunner to buy Enverus. No financial

details were given, but a source familiar with the matter said

the deal values the target at $6.5 billion.

Easing economic uncertainty and the prospect of potential

rate cuts, coupled with pent-up demand for dealmaking, have made

a fertile environment for a revival in mergers and acquisitions

after a tariff-driven slowdown.

Blackstone President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan

Gray had said last month the "dealmaking pause was behind us".

The Enverus deal marks Blackstone's latest investment in the

energy sector. In January, a unit of the asset manager had

agreed to acquire a 774-megawatt natural gas power plant in

Virginia.

"Blackstone shares our conviction that the future of energy

will be defined by AI, real-time intelligence, and bold

execution," said Enverus CEO Manuj Nikhanj. "Their global reach

and deep expertise across energy, infrastructure, and data-rich

industries will accelerate our momentum."

"This is more than a transaction - it's a launchpad."

Founded in 1999, Enverus provides analytics and benchmark

data sourced from U.S. energy producers and more than 40,000

suppliers. The Austin, Texas-based company has more than 8,000

customers across 50 countries - from exploration and production

companies to power and utilities.

Reuters reported in May that private equity firm Hellman &

Friedman had launched a sale process for Enverus, which

attracted interest from buyout firms and other companies.

H&F had bought Enverus from another private equity firm

Genstar Capital in a $4.25 billion deal in 2021.

RBC Capital Markets and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett advised

Blackstone on the deal, which is expected to close by the end of

2025. Citi, Morgan Stanley and Kirkland & Ellis advised Enverus

and H&F.