Houlihan Lokey said Tuesday that it has acquired energy merger and acquisitions advisory boutique Baxter Energy Partners for an undisclosed sum.

Houlihan Lokey said in a statement that Baxter Energy Partners’ relationships in the energy sector would help promote strategic growth of the Los Angeles company’s industry-focused platforms.

Scott Baxter, the New York-based firm’s founder and managing partner, will join Houlihan Lokey and head the global energy investment banking sector.

Houlihan Lokey added that with the acquisition it would likely begin to focus on companies engaged in oil and gas exploration and production.

Established in 1970, Houlihan Lokey has over 700 employees in 12 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.