US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved the $14.8-billion merger between Schlumberger and equipment manufacturer Cameron.

Schlumberger-Cameron merger cleared

USA

HOUSTON, November 18, 2015 – US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved the $14.8-billion merger between Schlumberger and equipment manufacturer Cameron. The merger will enable Schlumberger, the world’s largest oilfield services company, to now offer engineering and equipment manufacturing once it fulfils anti-trust requirements.

 

The merger allows Schlumberger to provide services at a lower cost to exploration companies with tight budgets in the depressed oil price environment, although the company will not be allowed to bundle services because of anti-trust laws.

Schlumberger expects the deal will reduce its operating costs by $300 million in its first year and $600 million in its second and improve its market position following the $35-billion merger between its main competitors Halliburton and Baker Hughes.