SLB provides update on planned acquisition of ChampionX

Rhea-AI Summary

SLB announced that all waiting periods under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act for its planned acquisition of ChampionX have expired, allowing SLB to legally close the transaction in the United States.

As part of the HSR review, SLB and ChampionX have reached a definitive agreement to sell ChampionX's equity interests in US Synthetic to a third-party buyer, conditional on the closing of the acquisition. SLB will retain its MegaDiamond business for polycrystalline diamond compact cutters.

The transaction still requires antitrust approval in other jurisdictions. In Norway, the Norwegian Competition Authority will continue its assessment through a Phase II review. Due to these ongoing regulatory processes, SLB now expects the transaction to close by the end of Q1 or early Q2 2025.

Positive

• SLB cleared U.S. antitrust hurdles for ChampionX acquisition
• SLB will retain its MegaDiamond business for polycrystalline diamond compact cutters
• Transaction expected to close by Q1 end or early Q2 2025

Negative

• Norwegian Competition Authority proceeding with Phase II review, delaying closure
• Required divestiture of ChampionX's equity interests in US Synthetic
• Transaction still subject to antitrust review in multiple jurisdictions

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SLB (NYSE: SLB) today announced that, in connection with SLB’s planned acquisition of ChampionX, all applicable waiting periods under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 have expired, and SLB is legally permitted to close the ChampionX transaction in the United States.

In conjunction with the HSR review, SLB and ChampionX have reached a definitive agreement, conditioned on the closing of SLB’s acquisition of ChampionX as well as other customary closing conditions, to sell all of ChampionX’s equity interests in US Synthetic Corporation (USS) to a third-party buyer. SLB will retain its MegaDiamond business to provide polycrystalline diamond compact cutters for drill bits and other industrial uses.

The ChampionX transaction remains subject to antitrust review in other jurisdictions. In Norway, the Norwegian Competition Authority has notified the parties that it intends to continue its assessment of the ChampionX transaction via a Phase II review. As a result, SLB now expects the transaction to close by the end of the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2025.

About SLB

SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company that drives energy innovation for a balanced planet. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, we work each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com.

About ChampionX

ChampionX Corporation is a global leader in chemistry solutions, artificial lift systems, and highly engineered equipment and technologies that help companies drill for and produce oil and gas safely, efficiently, and sustainably around the world. ChampionX’s expertise, innovative products, and digital technologies provide enhanced oil and gas production, transportation, and real-time emissions monitoring throughout the lifecycle of a well. To learn more about ChampionX, visit our website at www.championX.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the proposed transaction between SLB and ChampionX, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction and the anticipated timing of the transaction, and information regarding the businesses of SLB and ChampionX, including expectations regarding outlook and all underlying assumptions, SLB’s and ChampionX’s objectives, plans and strategies, information relating to operating trends in markets where SLB and ChampionX operate, statements that contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition, and all other statements other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that SLB or ChampionX intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Such statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions made based on information currently available to management. All statements in this communication, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements that may be identified by the use of the words “outlook,” “guidance,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “should,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “targets,” “may,” “can,” “believe,” “predict,” “potential,” “projected,” “projections,” “precursor,” “forecast,” “ambition,” “goal,” “scheduled,” “think,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “see,” “likely,” and other similar expressions or variations, but not all forward-looking statements include such words. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and which may cause SLB’s or ChampionX’s actual results and performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors and risks that may impact future results and performance include, but are not limited to, those factors and risks described in Part I, “Item 1. Business”, “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in SLB’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on January 22, 2025, and Part 1, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in ChampionX’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on February 5, 2025, and each of their respective, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

These include, but are not limited to, and in each case as a possible result of the proposed transaction on each of SLB and ChampionX: the ultimate outcome of the proposed transaction between SLB and ChampionX; the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction; the ability to operate the SLB and ChampionX respective businesses, including business disruptions; difficulties in retaining and hiring key personnel and employees; the ability to maintain favorable business relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners; the terms and timing of the proposed transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the proposed transaction; the anticipated or actual tax treatment of the proposed transaction; the ability to satisfy closing conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction; other risks related to the completion of the proposed transaction and actions related thereto; the ability of SLB and ChampionX to integrate the business successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies and value creation from the proposed transaction; changes in demand for SLB’s or ChampionX’s products and services; global market, political, and economic conditions, including in the countries in which SLB and ChampionX operate; the ability to secure government regulatory approvals on the terms expected, at all or in a timely manner; the extent of growth of the oilfield services market generally, including for chemical solutions in production and midstream operations; the global macro-economic environment, including headwinds caused by inflation, rising interest rates, unfavorable currency exchange rates, and potential recessionary or depressionary conditions; the impact of shifts in prices or margins of the products that SLB or ChampionX sells or services that SLB or ChampionX provides, including due to a shift towards lower margin products or services; cyber-attacks, information security and data privacy; the impact of public health crises, such as pandemics (including COVID-19) and epidemics and any related company or government policies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or government policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or global economies and markets; trends in crude oil and natural gas prices, including trends in chemical solutions across the oil and natural gas industries, that may affect the drilling and production activity, profitability and financial stability of SLB’s and ChampionX’s customers and therefore the demand for, and profitability of, their products and services; litigation and regulatory proceedings, including any proceedings that may be instituted against SLB or ChampionX related to the proposed transaction; failure to effectively and timely address energy transitions that could adversely affect the businesses of SLB or ChampionX, results of operations, and cash flows of SLB or ChampionX; and disruptions of SLB’s or ChampionX’s information technology systems.

These risks, as well as other risks related to the proposed transaction, are included in the Form S-4 and proxy statement/prospectus that have been filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors to be presented in the registration statement on Form S-4 are, considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. For additional information about other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to SLB’s and ChampionX’s respective periodic reports and other filings with the SEC, including the risk factors identified in SLB’s and ChampionX’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, respectively, and SLB’s and ChampionX’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof. Neither SLB nor ChampionX undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Additional Information about the Transaction with ChampionX and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction with ChampionX, SLB filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 on April 29, 2024 (as amended, the “Form S-4”) that includes a proxy statement of ChampionX and that also constitutes a prospectus of SLB with respect to the shares of SLB to be issued in the proposed transaction (the “proxy statement/prospectus”). The Form S-4 was declared effective by the SEC on May 15, 2024. SLB and ChampionX filed the definitive proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC on May 15, 2024 (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/87347/000119312524139403/d818663d424b3.htm), and it was first mailed to ChampionX stockholders on or about May 15, 2024. Each of SLB and ChampionX may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. This document is not a substitute for the Form S-4 or proxy statement/prospectus or any other document that SLB or ChampionX may file with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Form S-4 and the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents (if and when available) containing important information about SLB, ChampionX and the proposed transaction, through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with, or furnished to, the SEC by SLB will be available free of charge on SLB’s website at https://investorcenter.slb.com. Copies of the documents filed with, or furnished to, the SEC by ChampionX will be available free of charge on ChampionX’s website at https://investors.championx.com. The information included on, or accessible through, SLB’s or ChampionX’s website is not incorporated by reference into this communication.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250224692271/en/

Media

Josh Byerly – SVP of Communications

Moira Duff – Director of External Communications

Tel: +1 (713) 375-3407

media@slb.com

Investors

James R. McDonald – SVP, Investor Relations & Industry Affairs

Joy V. Domingo – Director of Investor Relations

Tel: +1 (713) 375-3535

investor-relations@slb.com

Source: SLB

FAQ

What is the current status of SLB's acquisition of ChampionX?

SLB has cleared U.S. antitrust review but still needs approval in other jurisdictions, including Norway where a Phase II review is underway. The transaction is now expected to close by end of Q1 or early Q2 2025.

What assets will SLB divest as part of the ChampionX acquisition?

SLB and ChampionX have agreed to sell all of ChampionX's equity interests in US Synthetic (USS) to a third-party buyer as a condition of the acquisition.

Will SLB retain any diamond cutter businesses after the ChampionX acquisition?

Yes, SLB will retain its MegaDiamond business, which provides polycrystalline diamond compact cutters for drill bits and other industrial uses.

When does SLB expect to complete the ChampionX acquisition?

SLB now expects the transaction to close by the end of the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2025, later than initially planned due to extended regulatory reviews.

What is causing delays in SLB's acquisition of ChampionX?

The primary delay is due to extended antitrust reviews, particularly in Norway where the Norwegian Competition Authority has initiated a Phase II review of the transaction.