National Oilwell Varco Inc News

GE’s Marine Solutions is showcasing its latest technologies and offerings to date at SMM 2016. Staggering oil prices, strict environment regulations and volatile economic conditions are among the key factors that add uncertainty to the marine industry. Calling for industry-wide collaboration, GE is taking up the challenge to build more cost-efficient vessels through close partnership with industry leaders. GE and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd. have received approval in…

National Oilwell Varco Inc., the largest U.S. oilfield equipment maker, said it will cut its Norwegian workforce by 1,500 by the end of this year as low oil prices have reduced investments. It plans to cut 900 permanent jobs and 600 contractors, the firm said in a statement on Wednesday. "The reason for the lay-offs is the big change in the market situation for our industry over the last year with reduced investments and reduced sale of new equipment," it said. "The uncertain market situation also means that we can't say how comprehensive the process of laying off people will be in the longer term". Norway's Statoil said on Tuesday it will cut up to 7 percent of its workforce and a third of its consultants by the end of 2016…

The CFO of Houston-based National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV) is stepping down to become CEO of Transocean Ltd. (RIG), one of NOV’s largest customers. Effective April 22, Jeremy Thigpen will become CEO of Switzerland-based Transocean, which has its main U.S. office in Houston. Thigpen succeeds Ian Strachan, who had been serving as interim CEO since Steven Newman stepped down in February. Strachan, who is also the company's Chairman of the Board of Directors, will retire from the Board at the end of his term at the 2015 Annual General Meeting following approximately 16 years of service. Prior to joining Transocean, Thigpen spent his career in various roles at  NOV and has served since 2012 as NOV's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Talks that could lead to oilfield services provider Halliburton Co buying rival Baker Hughes Inc may herald increased deal-making in the energy business as companies bet on a protracted drop in oil prices, industry bankers said. Competing service companies including National Oilwell Varco Inc and Weatherford International may also be targets, bankers and lawyers said. In any deal, the incentives will be the same: consolidation would allow them to better weather the downturn and resist pressure from oil producers to slash prices. The Baker Hughes/Halliburton talks have stalled after the companies weren't able to agree on issues including price, people familiar with the matter said Friday. As oil prices fall, oil field service companies get squeezed, one industry lawyer said.

Transocean Ltd. Assuming Miller is elected by shareholders at the EGM, the board intends to designate him as Vice Chairman. Transocean explained that Ian C. Strachan, the current Chairman of the Board, will reach 72 years of age before the 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM). In accordance with the company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, it is anticipated thathe will retire from the board at the end of his term at the 2015 AGM. The board currently expects to recommend that shareholders elect Miller in his place as Chairman at the 2015 AGM. Miller is the Executive Chairman of NOW Inc., a spinoff of the distribution business of National Oilwell Varco, Inc., a supplier of oilfield services and equipment to the oil and gas industry.

National Oilwell Varco Inc, the largest U.S. oilfield equipment provider, said orders fell by nearly a quarter in the first quarter and it expects demand for new offshore rigs to slow during the second half of the year. The company's shares fell about 7 percent. Demand for contract drilling is softening as rigs ordered during boom times are being delivered now. Large oil companies are tightening spending after a decade of double-digit increase in budgets as oil prices stagnate and project costs rise.

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. announced that it has expanded the size of its Board of Directors from seven to eight members. Steven W. Krablin has been elected to fill the newly created position and will serve as a Class II director. Class II directors will be up for re-election at the Company's 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Krablin meets the independence and financial expertise requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and has been appointed to serve on the Company's Audit and Compensation Committees. From January 1996 until April 2005, Mr. Krablin served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of National Oilwell, Inc.