Denmark’s Maersk Drilling and U.S. rival Noble Corp. will merge in a $3.4 billion deal to form one of the world’s largest offshore oil drilling rig companies, they said on Nov. 10.
The combined company is expected to reap annual cost savings of $125 million and it will take Noble Corp.’s name and be headquartered in Houston, with ownership split roughly 50:50 between the two companies' existing shareholders.
“The combination of Noble and Maersk Drilling will create a leading offshore driller with global scale, a strong balance sheet and significant free cash flow generation potential,” Noble board chair Chuck Sledge said in a statement.
The transaction is backed by a majority of shareholders at both companies and the new entity’s shares will be listed in both New York and Copenhagen, a joint statement said.
Noble chief exec Robert Eifler will become CEO of the merged business.
The company will maintain a significant operating presence in Stavanger, Norway, to retain proximity to customers and support operations in the Norwegian and broader North Sea regions.
The merger will lead to job losses to help deliver cost cuts, the companies said without specifying numbers.
“In the short term the combination will, unfortunately, impact our organization, but it will also create a larger and stronger company, which will provide future opportunities for growth and new jobs,” said Maersk Drilling CEO Jorn Madsen.
The deal was “primarily” an all-shares transaction, though Maersk Drilling shareholders will have the ability to elect to receive cash instead of shares for up to $1,000 each, subject to an aggregate cap of $50 million.
A Maersk spokesperson said the company had estimated the combined market capitalization of the two companies at approximately $3.4 billion.
“The combined company will hold an industry leading balance sheet, significant cost synergies, a modern fleet and with access to an international shareholder base,” said Robert Uggla, CEO of A.P. Moller Holding, Maersk Drilling’s biggest shareholder.
Recommended Reading
E&P Highlights: Aug. 12, 2024
2024-08-12 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, with a major project starting production in the Gulf of Mexico and the latest BLM proposal for oil and gas leases in North Dakota.
E&P Highlights: Aug. 26, 2024
2024-08-26 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, with Ovintiv considering selling its Uinta assets and drilling operations beginning at the Anchois project offshore Morocco.
E&P Highlights: Sept. 16, 2024
2024-09-16 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, with an update on Hurricane Francine and a major contract between Saipem and QatarEnergy.
E&P Highlights: Sept. 30, 2024
2024-09-30 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including concessions awarded in the Middle East and updates following Hurricane Helene.
E&P Highlights: Oct. 14, 2024
2024-10-14 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including another delay at one of the largest gas fields in the world and two major contracts in West Africa.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.