2011-04-12-2011-04-04

To acquire energy information technology practice providing consulting, system integration and outsourcing services.

Wipro Technologies, the global IT business of Wipro Ltd., New York, (NYSE: WIT) plans to acquire the global oil and gas information technology practice of the commercial business services business unit of Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va., (NYSE: SAI) for $150 million in cash.

SAIC's global oil and gas information technology practice provides consulting, system integration and outsourcing services to the oil and gas industry in North America, Europe, India and Middle East. The assets being acquired include SAIC's subsidiaries SAIC Ltd., Science Applications International, Europe SARL, SAIC India Private Ltd. and SAIC Gulf LLC.

Wipro technologies senior vice president Anand Padmanabhan says, "Oil and gas companies are investing in the upstream business while looking at rationalizing cost through IT. The acquisition of SAIC's Global Oil & Gas Information Technology practice will strengthen Wipro's existing energy business unit in becoming a long-term strategic partner in our customer's transformation journey."

SAIC commercial business services senior vice president and general manager Rex Ballard says, "Bringing our skills and client base to Wipro increases our combined market potential and positions us to capitalize on commercial business opportunities across the full breadth of the oil and gas industry. The combined organization will give clients access to an enhanced portfolio of technologies and solutions and provide employees with increased opportunities for career development."