Rick Rule Projects $85 Oil by 2028, Boosting Oilfield Services Upside

IEZIEZ

Veteran investor Rick Rule warns that persistent industry underinvestment in producers like Venezuela, Mexico and Russia could drive oil prices to $85 per barrel by 2028. He sees significant upside for oilfield services firms tracked by the ETF when drilling and maintenance demand accelerates.

1. IEZ Positioned to Capitalize on Venezuelan Service Revival

The iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF (IEZ) stands out as a potential winner if service companies succeed in reactivating Venezuela’s vast hydrocarbon reserves—estimated at more than 300 billion barrels. IEZ, which holds leading oilfield services names across drilling, well completion and production maintenance, has delivered a 5-year annualized return in line with its 4% target portfolio yield strategy promoted by The Value Lab. With approximately 25% of its assets exposed to firms with international operations and the remainder focused on U.S. land and offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico activity, IEZ offers diversified access to equipment and services revenue growth. Should Venezuela’s service sector regain operational momentum—potentially restoring output by 400,000 barrels per day in the first 12 months—analysts forecast a proportional uptick in day-rates for rigs and pressure pumps that could drive above‐benchmark performance for the ETF.

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