Houston energy private equity deals surged in 2014

Deals between energy companies and private equity firms shot up in 2014, according to an annual report from Houston-based GulfStar Group, an investment banking firm specializing in middle market companies.

Falling oil prices are likely to add to the deal volume of 2014 in the coming year, but changes where on the energy supply chain investors and buyers put their money, said Cliff Atherton, managing director at GulfStar Group.

The strength in deal volume that may have been overly weighted toward…