Private Equity Placement have reportedly raised the ratings for a number of oil service and oil exploration companies to “overweight” from “neutral”.

The wealth management firm is understood to have issued the upgrades in a research note to clients. Private Equity Placement cite the end of the “cheap oil era” and burgeoning demand from emerging economies as key drivers behind the demand for these companies’ expertise.

An individual familiar with research at Private Equity Placement said, “Big multi-nationals like Exxon and Shell didn’t invest in exploration during the days of cheaper oil. As this type of investment can take years to yield tangible results, they are enlisting the expertise of smaller, specialist companies who can provide platform infrastructure and temporary, easily- deployable piping etc and that presents the investor with an opportunity to play on the demand for commodities without becoming embroiled in the volatility that direct investment can bring.”