Baker Hughes confirms merger talks with Halliburton

(MENAFN- Arab News) NEW YORK: US oil services company Baker Hughes said it was in preliminary talks with Halliburton on a possible merger confirming media reports on the negotiations.

In a brief statement Baker Hughes the world's third-biggest company in the oil field services industry by market capitalization said the discussions 'may or may not lead to any transaction' with Halliburton Company the world's second-largest in the sector.

The announcement comes with oil prices at their lowest levels since 2010. That could force oil companies to trim their exploration operations dealing a blow to subcontractors like Baker Hughes and Halliburton.

Baker Hughes shares shot up 15 percent Thursday on the first word of the talks raising its market value to $25.4 billion.

Halliburton has a market capitalization of $45.5 billion while the world's leader in the field Schlumberger has one of $122 billion.

The Baker Hughes statement said little else.

The Wall Street Journal said earlier that talks had accelerated in recent days and a deal could be imminent. The paper said the two companies' activities overlap in many areas which would allow for productivity gains after a restructuring is carried out.

Both are based in Houston.

The Journal said a merged company would rise to the top global ranks in several sectors including fracking in which it would control a 36 percent stake in the market.