USA: GE Expands its Business with Acquisition of Wood Group’s Well Support Division

GE has completed the strategic acquisition of John Wood Group PLC’s Well Support Division, expanding GE Oil & Gas’ extensive drilling and surface manufacturing and services portfolio.

The John Wood Group PLC Well Support division, which has over 3,800 employees globally and operates approximately 20 manufacturing and multiple sales and service centers worldwide, is comprised of three business platforms – ESP (electric submersible pumps), Pressure Control (surface wellheads and trees) and Logging Services – which, combined, recorded 2010 revenues of $947 million.

The $2.8 billion transaction enables GE to capitalize on the fast-growing demand for enhanced oil recovery from mature oil fields using downhole pump ‘artificial lift’ in brownfield developments; as well as, expanding GE’s high-technology product and service offering in unconventional oil and gas production, with significant applications for shale gas production.

Claudi Santiago, President and CEO, GE Oil & Gas said: “Given the reliability and quality of its technology and the expertise of its employees, the Well Support division is an excellent addition to GE Oil & Gas, strengthening our engineering capabilities and our extensive suite of advanced capital drilling and production solutions. Combined with our integrated portfolio, global supply-chain and footprint, the Well Support division adds further value for our customers and enhances GE’s position in rapid growth oil and gas industry segments and regions.”

Jim Renfroe, the CEO of Wood Group PLC’s Well Support Division, said: “We are delighted to become part of the GE Oil & Gas family. The transaction positions GE Oil & Gas firmly to lead a new chapter in oil and gas unconventional production, expanding our combined customer base and providing significant new channels for advanced high-tech equipment and services around the world.”

GE Energy has a proven record of acquiring, integrating, and growing companies, as demonstrated by the acquisitions of Nuovo Pignone (Oil & Gas), Jenbacher (Gas Engines), VetcoGray, and Hydril Pressure Controls (Oil & Gas). In the last six months GE Energy has announced approximately $11 billion of acquisitions, including Converteam, Dresser, Inc. and Lineage Power Holdings – all high-tech companies complementing GE Energy’s core technologies and enabling the business to broaden its offerings for critical industries.

About GE

GE  is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.ge.com.

About GE Energy

GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy www.ge.com/energy – GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas – work together with more than 90,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels and new grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.

About GE Oil & Gas

GE Oil & Gas  is a world leader in advanced technology equipment and services for all segments of the oil and gas industry, from drilling and production, LNG, pipelines and storage to industrial power generation, refining and petrochemicals. GE Oil & Gas also provides pipeline integrity solutions, including inspection and data management, and designs and manufactures wire-line and drilling measurement solutions for the oilfield services segment. GE Oil & Gas exploits technological innovation from other GE businesses, such as aviation and healthcare, to continuously improve oil and gas industry performance and productivity. GE Oil & Gas employs more than 16,000 people worldwide and operates in over 100 countries.

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Source: GE, April 27,2011;