SLB (SLB) said on Tuesday it will acquire its smaller competitor, ChampionX (CHX), in an all-stock transaction valued at $7.75 billion.
This move is part of a broader trend of consolidation within the North American energy sector, where companies are streamlining operations and addressing challenges in operation and pricing.
The acquisition marks SLB's most significant since purchasing Cameron International for $14.8 billion in 2016 and is its second buyout in just a week.
The deal, reminiscent of last year's merger between Patterson-UTI Energy and NexTier Oilfield Solutions to form a $5.4 billion company, aims to expand SLB's offerings with production chemicals and artificial lift technologies.
“This transaction will enable the company to improve customers’ efficiencies in the production and reservoir recovery phase of the well,” Evercore ISI analysts said in a note.
“It also will expand its exposure to the less cyclical and growing base of production globally, and is closely aligned with SLB’s returns focused, capital light strategy,” they added.
ChampionX shareholders are set to receive 0.735 SLB common stock shares per share, equating to $40.59 each, a 14.6% premium on ChampionX's last closing price.
CHX rose 8.8% at the market open on Tuesday while fell 2.3%.
The leading oilfield services provider projects $400 million in annual pre-tax savings within the first three years post-acquisition, aiming for a deal completion by the end of 2024.
Post-merger, ChampionX shareholders will hold approximately 9% of SLB's outstanding shares. Moreover, SLB has committed to returning $7 billion to its shareholders over the next two years, with plans to increase shareholder returns to $3 billion by 2024.