Sempra Energy earned recognition as one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" for 2015 from Fortune magazine. The company ranked No. 4 in the Electric and Gas Utilities category.

Its four principal subsidiaries are Southern California Gas Co., San Diego Gas & Electric, Sempra International, and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power.

"I am very proud that Sempra Energy has been named one of the 'Most Admired Companies' because it reflects the hard work of our 17,000 employees worldwide," said Debra L. Reed, chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy.  "It is an honor to be recognized by our industry peers and the financial community."

Fortune's annual "World's Most Admired Companies" list is considered a definitive report card on corporate reputations. The publication and its survey partners - the Hay Group, a global management consulting firm - work several months to complete a rigorous selection process that involves surveying financial analysts and senior executives and directors from more than 600 companies in 55 industries and 29 countries.

To be considered, companies must generate annual revenues of $10 billion or more.

Specific survey criteria include: innovation; people management; quality of management; social responsibility; quality of products or services; use of corporate assets; financial soundness; long-term investment value and global competitiveness.

The rankings and a complete list of the "World's Most Admired Companies" is available online and will appear in Fortune's March 2015 print edition.

Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2013 revenues of more than $10.5 billion.  The Sempra Energy companies' 17,000 employees serve more than 31 million consumers worldwide.