Norwegian Watchdog Clears Major Drilling Merger

The Norwegian Competition Authority has given its approval to the proposed merger between offshore drilling contractors Maersk Drilling and Noble Corporation, reported Offshore Engineer.

Denmark’s Maersk Drilling and US rival Noble announced the proposed US$3.4 billion deal to form one of the world’s largest offshore oil drilling rig companies in November 2021.

The merger is conditioned on, among other things, clearance by antitrust and foreign direct investment authorities in the United Kingdom, Norway, and Denmark, as well as certain other jurisdictions as agreed between the parties.

According to a statement by Maersk Drilling released on Monday, January 17,  the Norwegian Competition Authority (Konkurransetilsynet) has reviewed the merger application under the filings submitted to it and has no objection to the business combination.

“The process for obtaining the other approvals is ongoing. The Parties cannot provide any assurance as to whether all required approvals and consents will be obtained or the timing of, or conditions to, such approvals if they are obtained,” Maersk Drilling stated.

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