The more-than-doubling of crude oil prices over the past couple of years has been a difficult rally to trust. Energy companies still aren't exactly highly disciplined outfits despite the pain of overproduction they inflicted on themselves back in 2014.

On the other hand, the bears have had every opportunity to upend the rally but have been unable to do so. Perhaps a price of more than $60 per barrel really is the "new normal" for the energy market. At the very least, investors would be wise to respect that not investing in energy stocks could be riskier than being in them for the foreseeable future.

Until there's a clear sign of trouble for the slippery commodity, here's a run-down of 10 top prospects to play energy's normalization. Some of these energy stocks are familiar, while others are a bit off the radar. Still others border on being outright unknowns.

In all 10 cases, however, there is outsize opportunity for oil-driven upside.

Chevron

Market value: $234.1 billion

Dividend yield: 3.6%

Don't be surprised that energy powerhouse Chevron (CVX, $122.73) is not just on a list of energy stocks to buy, but batting leadoff. It's almost painfully clichĂŠ. But there's a reason Chevron is one of the biggest, and arguably the best, name in the business: The company is good at what it does, and it has staying power.

Investors have forgotten this at times, of course. CVX