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After narrowing its losses in the third quarter, Egyptian private equity firm Citadel Capital will aim to improve the management of its portfolio companies, Reuters reported. The firm, based in Cairo, manages $4 billion in assets across the Middle East and Africa. It saw a net loss of 29.5 million Egyptian pounds ($5.1 million) in the third quarter of 2010, an improvement over the 94.8 million pounds it lost during the second quarter, Reuters said.

Rockley Group, a U.K.-based firm, has doubled the size of its Rockley China Fund LP after inking an agreement with the Shanxi Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Corporation, the technology venture fund owned by the Shanxi provincial government in China. The two will partner to develop business opportunities in Shanxi, China’s leading coal mining region. The firm's China operations are based in Beijing.

New York-based private equity firm Harvest Partners has acquired Bartlett Holdings, which operates as BHI Energy. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Harvest Partners acquired the company from Boston-based firms Berkshire Partners and Summit Partners. Plymouth, Mass.-based BHI Energy provides energy services including radiation protection and specialty maintenance. Harvest has $1.7 billion under management across five funds.

Houston-based Sheridan Production Partners has raised $1.8 billion for its second fund: Sheridan Production Partners II. The firm, which focuses on acquiring oil and gas properties across the U.S., aims to expand its holdings in East Texas, Louisiana and the Rocky Mountain region. The firm has raised more than $3 billion in equity since it was formed in 2006 by Sheridan Management and Warburg Pincus.

New York-based Evercore Partners has added Paul Deninger as a senior managing director in its investment banking business. Deninger will focus on advising companies in the technology and clean technology sectors. Deninger was previously vice chairman at Jefferies, and earlier was chairman and chief executive of Broadview International, a technology investment banking boutique firm.

Swedish private equity firm Ratos will acquire automobile auction and valuation company KVD Kvarndammen in a deal valuing the company at 550 million kronor ($78 million). Ratos will provide equity of approximately 360 million kronor ($51.4 million), the company said. Formed in 1991, Kvarndammen is Sweden's largest independent broker for cars. The deal is expected to close by January 2011.

Swedish private equity firm Ratos has offered 11.50 kronor ($1.64) per share to buy Biolin Scientific. The offer represents a 32.2% premium over the average closing price for Biolin during the past 30 days. Sweden’s Biolin Scientific develops analytical instruments for research, development, quality control and clinical diagnostics.

Idaman Saga, a vehicle controlled by Malaysian businessman Halim Saad, has joined with KUB Malaysia and CVC Capital Partners Asia III to increase its bid for QSR, which is the majority owner of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut franchises in Malaysia, Reuters reported. The group increased its offer to match a bid by private equity firm The Carlyle Group. The Washington D.C.-based Carlyle Group previously bid $2.12 per share, or roughly $618 million, for QSR.

Buyout shop Blackstone has failed to find a buyer for its portfolio company GoldToeMoretz, one of the world’s largest sock makers, Reuters said, citing a report in the New York Post. The report said that Blackstone wanted $450 million for the company, an amount that would allow Blackstone to repay debt and leave GoldToeMoretz profitable.

Private equity firm Blackstone is planning to make a bid for British homecare operator Southern Cross, Reuters reported, citing a story in the Sunday Telegraph. Reuters previously reported that Southern Cross was in talks with unnamed potential buyers. Blackstone is already familiar with the company. The buyout shop owned Southern Cross before taking it public in 2006, Reuters said.